A federal audit has criticized a $157 million military relocation contract for delivering subpar service to Canadian Armed Forces personnel, citing widespread delays and inefficiencies that auditors say harmed troop morale and operational readiness.Brookfield Global Relocation Services, a former subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management, was hired in 2016 to manage roughly 12,000 military moves annually. The firm’s performance was described as riddled with “errors,” “delays” and an inefficient system that placed additional stress on military families. “This had a negative impact on Canadian Armed Forces morale,” wrote auditors in the Audit Of Canadian Armed Forces Relocation Services..The audit found that 60% of relocation-related activities involved reviews and transfers that caused unnecessary delays.Auditors said these burdens frustrated members and resulted in the waste of time, money and resources.“Relocations promote professional development and serve operational requirements but they are also a highly demanding time in Canadian Armed Forces members’ lives,” the report stated.“Addressing opportunities to improve the program’s efficiency and clarity would significantly impact members’ satisfaction and operational readiness.”.Brookfield was paid to centralize military moves using an online platform, but the system proved cumbersome and difficult to navigate. The audit did not mention Brookfield Asset Management or Prime Minister Mark Carney, who chaired the parent firm until January 16.The Prime Minister and his wife Diana Carney previously earned income from various federal contractors.Carney held executive roles with firms including Goldman Sachs and Stripe.com, while Diana Carney worked as a senior advisor to federal consultants including Terramera Inc., a company that received $3.2 million in Department of Agriculture grants.
