The federal Phoenix Pay System failure has now cost taxpayers $3.7 billion and counting, the highest figure disclosed to date. The latest damages are cited in a Department of Public Works briefing note.

“We have put in place a significant number of system enhancements and fixes which have helped bring increased stability to the pay system and overall pay administration environment,” said the April 15 note Update On Pay Stabilization. “To date $3.65 billion has been invested in Phoenix.”

“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting employees and continues to take action on all fronts to resolve public service pay issues,” said the note. “The launch of Phoenix we have implemented a series of measures and made consistent progress.”

The Phoenix Pay System was launched in 2016 on a promise it would save taxpayers $70 million by centralizing 46 separate federal payroll departments into a single office in Miramichi,