Ontario didn't spend money from COVID-19 response program in first quarter: watchdog
CBC
Ontario's fiscal watchdog says the province didn't spend any money from a new $2.7 billion COVID-19 response program in the first quarter.
A Wednesday report from the Financial Accountability Office found that the province spent a total of $2.6 billion — or 6.6 per cent — less than planned between April and July.
The report says health spending was $691 million lower than planned in the area of population and public health because the province didn't spend funds from the pandemic program.
That provincial program, called the COVID-19 Response transfer payment, was introduced this year to support public health.
A spokeswoman for the watchdog's office says the FAO did not have details on the program's intended recipients.
The Ministry of Health did not immediately response to a request for comment.
Health spending was higher than planned for long-term care home operations and development, but lower than planned in payments to physicians and in health services.