Police investigating misuse of pandemic funds in Kanesatake following community outcry

Millions paid out to contractors and officials through e-transfers and petty cash vouchers

Provincial police are investigating claims of fraud at the Kanesatake band council after a forensic audit found that one former chief collected $469,000 of emergency covid funds over a 16-month period.

The audit, obtained by The Rover, uncovered what appears to be “attempts at camouflaging” how federal aid was spent at the height of the pandemic, including $1.2 million in salaries “not paid through the standard payroll system.” 

The bulk of these payouts went to a handful of band council contractors, the head of Kanesatake’s health centre, and at least one former chief. All of them served on or worked with the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) — a task force charged with managing Kanesatake’s response to the pandemic. It appears that millions were moved using e-transfers and petty cash vouchers without having the expenses approved by council.