Dear Prime Minister Mark Carney,

As you steer Canada through this critical "hinge moment" for our economy, there is a fundamental issue of financial trust and national productivity that remains unresolved: the legacy of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) clawbacks.

During the 2020 lockdowns, Canadians were essentially presented with what appeared to be a lifeline but functioned as a predatory loan. The rollout was convoluted, the messaging was a moving target, and for many, the temptation to accept immediate relief was overwhelming. They succumbed to that pressure and capitulated, often because they were sold a "bill of goods" without a clear understanding of the long-term consequences. Now, years later, their financial reputations are being tarnished for a mistake born of systemic confusion.

But we must move past the blame. The most important part of our social contract—and what should be a "social credit" win for this country—is recognizing the 1.4 million Canadians who have already done the right thing and repaid $3.3 billion in full.

Prime Minister, everyone would benefit if we integrated this repayment data into our national credit systems:

• For the Banks & Retailers: This data provides a verified record of a borrower's moral compass. Repaying a debt in full under such convoluted circumstances is a premier indicator of financial integrity and reliability.
• For Society: By allowing a voluntary opt-in for citizens to have their full repayments reported to credit bureaus, you turn a government negative into a positive for the individual. It restores the reputations of those currently "treading water" under CRA notices.
• For the Economy: It distinguishes honest citizens from those gamed the system, providing the transparency your banking and retail sectors need to fuel a more robust G7 economy.

It is surprising that your government has not yet leveraged this data to build financial trust. We need a system that rewards integrity rather than just enforcing debt. I urge you to implement a way for these repayments to be officially recognized by the credit bureaus of this country. Let’s turn this pandemic-era scar into a tool for building a more transparent and productive Canada.