Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
Trendy Cat Eye Sunglasses Buy Now
2 Pieces Summer Beach Outfits Buy Now
Sweatpants with Zipper Pockets Buy Now
Womens Strappy Square Neck Tank Top Tummy Control Buy Now
5-Pack Dry Fit T-Shirts Buy Now
Touchstone Hollywood Glamour crystals jewelry Buy Now
Essentials Men's Regular-Fit Shirt Buy Now
ZENOTTIC Polarized Sunglasses Buy Now
J.VER Men's Dress Shirts Buy Now
Casio A158WA: Unisex Digital Watch Buy Now
Extreme Taper Jean Buy Now
Nate Chrono Watch Buy Now
Glasting Melting Lip Balm Buy Now
SHEWIN Womens Fashion Oversized T Shirts Buy Now
Calvin Klein Bella Crossbody Buy Now
Lightweight Cotton Sport Jacket Buy Now
Medicube Age-R Pro Glass Skin Massager Buy Now
CKKM Men's Waterproof Hiking Shoes Buy Now
Water Proof Digital Timer Shower Clock for Bathroom Kitchen Buy Now
Vintage Round Sunglasses for Women Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
What is GC Strategies? A closer look at the company linked to the ArriveCan controversy

What is GC Strategies? A closer look at the company linked to the ArriveCan controversy

CBC
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 9:29 AM GMT

GC Strategies, the largest contractor to work on the ArriveCan app project, is facing heightened scrutiny after the auditor general cited excessive reliance on contractors as a major factor contributing to the project's ballooning costs.

After releasing her report on the controversial project, Auditor General Karen Hogan told MPs on the House public accounts committee that the government "paid too much" for the app.

Hogan estimates the project cost at roughly $59.5 million. She also noted in her report that the total cost is "impossible to determine" due to poor financial record-keeping.

Here's what we know about the company embroiled in the ArriveCan controversy.

The company is a two-person IT staffing firm that bills itself as being able to help companies navigate the federal government's procurement process.

Founded in 2015, the firm is headed by two partners, Kristian Firth and Darren Anthony.

As a staffing firm, GC Strategies acts as a go-between for the government and third-party tech companies. Firth described himself and his partner as "IT recruiters" in an appearance before the House of Commons government operation committee in October 2022.

"We have built a very strong network of best-in-class talent, which allows us to help our clients find the team they want," he said.

For ArriveCan, GC Strategies took an initial contract from the government and subcontracted the development of the app to IT firms.

"To be clear, we did not build ArriveCan. We were approached to provide a team for consideration to fulfil certain ArriveCan requirements. We are, however, very proud of the team we gave the government of Canada, whom they managed and gave direction to throughout the project," Firth said during his committee appearance.

It's not clear how much GC Strategies was paid for ArriveCan.

The auditor general estimates the company received $19.1 million. But that estimate only includes money paid to the company up to March of last year. Officials from the auditor general's office told CBC News on background that the company could have received payments after that date.

During his October 2022 committee testimony, Firth argued that the money the company receives from the government doesn't all stay with the company. He said some of the funds would be paid to subcontractors and the firm would keep somewhere between 15 to 30 per cent as a commission.

Hogan said in her report that GC Strategies was awarded a number of contracts in relation to ArriveCan. The company initially was given a $2.35 million sole-source contract in April 2020 and was awarded a $25 million contract in May 2022.

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
What's at the heart of Sask.'s early wildfire season? Humans, in more ways than one

Four in five of the wildfires so far in Saskatchewan this year have been caused by humans — the vast majority of them accidentally. But experts say part of the reason they've spread so far, so fast, is another human factor: climate change driven by the burning of fossil fuels.

Border city of Lloydminster united through gardening

Just a block away from the border of Alberta and Saskatchewan there's a garden uniting green thumbs in Lloydminster. 

Rare spirit bear cub living near B.C. highway stirs excitement, concern, as word of its existence spreads

Shelley Lindaas has long dreamed of seeing a Kermode bear cub in person.

'He did not deserve this,' says friend of Erixon Kabera after SIU clears officers who killed him

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) report outlining the events leading to the death of Erixon Kabera answered some questions for his family and friends, but many remain.

'Unacceptable': Some of Windsor's parking meters are wrong — but people are still getting tickets

Syed Hassan says he doesn't like to complain much. But when his wife told him she got a parking ticket on Thursday night, he knew he needed to speak out. 

Sex assault trial reforms followed Ghomeshi case. Some experts worry Hockey Canada trial could spark more

Following the public outcry over the Jian Ghomeshi case, some legal scholars and sexual assault survivor advocates lauded changes made to the Criminal Code that would prevent defence lawyers from surprising complainants at trial with past emails or text messages with the defendant.

The word 'family' has caused controversy for this Ontario school board. Here's why

The Waterloo Region District School Board has been talking a lot about the word "family" this month.

As some restaurants ditch seed oils for beef tallow, UPEI prof warns it's no health upgrade

At Pedro's Island Eatery in North Rustico, owner Pedro Gameiro has long been not a fan of using seed oils for frying

Yukon First Nations graduation turns 50

The parking lot of the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse was full on Friday, and the building surrounded by well-dressed young people and their proud families. Despite the smoky conditions in the city, there was much to celebrate. 

Toronto should allow sixplexes to bring 'gentle density' to city, council committee says

Toronto has moved one step closer to allowing fiveplexes and sixplexes in neighbourhoods across the city.

Why removing a dead deer from the Thames River wasn't a situation of passing the buck

Warning: Some readers may find photos in this story distressing.

Can the G7 leaders still find anything to agree about?

Fifty years ago this fall the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States met in a castle outside Paris for three days of meetings, at the conclusion of which they issued the Declaration of Rambouillet, a 15-point statement of principles and commitments.

'It's escalating every minute': Iranian woman living in N.L. watches conflict with worry

An Iranian woman living in Newfoundland and Labrador says she's watching attacks between Israel and Iran with worry for her family back home.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Protesters hold 'people's forum' in Calgary ahead of G7, prepare for Sunday march

On the final day before G7 leaders gather in Kananaskis, Alta., activists and community groups met in downtown Calgary on Saturday afternoon for a "people's forum" that took aim at the priorities of G7 leaders.

P.E.I. optometrist goes mobile to serve care homes in Prince County

An Island optometrist has gone mobile, providing on-site eye exams at long-term and community care homes across western P.E.I..

Funeral held for 3 children killed in alleged impaired driving crash

The Laviña-Galve family held a joint funeral in Scarborough on Saturday for three children killed last month in an alleged impaired driving crash on Highway 401. 

Canadians urged to 'avoid all travel' to Israel amid escalating hostilities with Iran

The federal government is urging Canadians to "avoid all travel" to Israel as the country exchanges missile and air strikes with Iran.

Ontario Pride groups say extra federal security dollars now necessary to run safe events

For a third year in a row, $1.5 million in federal funding is being made available to local and national Pride organizations to pay for increased security at festivals and parades celebrating the 2SLGBTQ+ community. 

2 Minnesota lawmakers and spouses shot in their homes, ex-state House Speaker and husband dead: governor

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed Saturday in a politically motivated assassination, and a second lawmaker and his wife were shot and wounded.

Information about TFSA contribution limits now available, says the CRA

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) says it has resolved an issue that prevented people from seeing how much contribution room they had left in their tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs).

He thought he was calling Air Canada. The airline says it wasn't them

A Stellarton, N.S., man says he was baffled when he discovered his $2,000 non-refundable airline ticket to Texas was cancelled.

Heat-pump scheme banned in Ontario snares Miramichi homeowner

Theresa Marcotte now regrets her decision four years ago to have two heat pumps installed in her Miramichi home. 

Here comes the MPP: Ontario bill could let politicians officiate weddings

Cut the red tape and cue the white dress.

More than 400 Manitoba infants got measles vaccine since eligibility expanded: province

More than 400 children under the age of one have received the measles vaccine in Manitoba since the government expanded eligibility for the shot last month due to a growing number of cases. 

Experts say Sask. wildfires could remain ablaze until snowfall

Wildfires continue to rage in northern Saskatchewan as the province faces its worst fire season in more than a decade.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us