Conservative MPs and health advocates urge reform of Canada’s Vaccine Injury Support Program, citing delays, poor support, and high admin costs.
MPs Push for Accountability
A group of four Conservative Members of Parliament is calling for an urgent investigation into Canada’s Vaccine Injury Support Program (VISP), raising concerns over excessive administrative costs and inadequate support for Canadians who suffered serious vaccine-related injuries. The request, made in a letter addressed to the House of Commons Health Committee chair, highlights what the MPs describe as “blatant misuse of tax dollars.”
The MPs—Dan Mazier, Helena Konanz, Dr. Matt Strauss, and Burton Bailey—urge the committee to convene an emergency hearing. Their appeal comes after months of reports revealing widespread inefficiencies in VISP’s operations. Liberal MP Hedy Fry, chair of the committee, has not responded publicly to the request.
Program Origins and Growing Complaints
VISP was launched in 2020 during the pandemic to provide financial assistance to individuals seriously and permanently injured by vaccines. In 2021, the Public Health Agency of Canada outsourced its administration to a consulting firm, now known as Oxaro Inc. Since then, complaints from claimants have mounted, ranging from long delays to limited communication from case managers.
Initial forecasts estimated only 40 claims annually, but over 3,300 applications have been filed to date. More than half of those applicants are still awaiting decisions.
Spending Under Scrutiny
Recent updates show Oxaro has received $54.1 million in federal funding. Of that, $36.3 million has gone toward administration, while only $18.1 million has been paid to injured Canadians. Health Canada says it continues to assess VISP’s performance and effectiveness.
Oxaro defended its record in past statements, saying it had to scale up operations quickly in response to the unexpected volume of claims. However, internal documents and former employee testimonies raise concerns about inadequate planning and workplace culture.
Health Advocates Call for Overhaul
Darryl Bedford, president of the GBS-CIDP Foundation of Canada, says his organization has lost confidence in VISP. He’s calling for a full review and overhaul, citing slow processing times and a lack of clear communication with claimants.
Bedford said some patients developed serious neurological issues, like Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), after receiving COVID-19 vaccines—cases that require urgent financial and medical support.
Contracting Questions Emerge
Critics have also questioned the decision to award VISP’s administration to Oxaro, previously a consulting arm of Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton. Competing bidders, including well-established health benefits managers like Green Shield Canada, were passed over.
Oxaro’s prior experience included only a small-scale insurance claim project that ended due to the insurer’s insolvency. Despite this, a six-person federal panel unanimously awarded the contract to Oxaro.
Government Response and Next Steps
Health Canada confirmed that the five-year agreement with Oxaro is under review, and a compliance audit is underway. The agency says it is focused on identifying shortfalls and improving service delivery for those affected.
The future of VISP remains uncertain as pressure mounts for greater transparency, faster claim resolutions, and a more effective support system for vaccine-injured Canadians.
For continuous coverage and real-time updates, keep following Maple News Wire.
