The Committee resumed consideration of the motion of Francesco Sorbara, — That the Standing Committee on Finance call for officials from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) including Ms Stephanie Henderson, manager of offshore compliance to appear before the committee on April 12, 2016 to provide the committee with an explanation as to the process and procedures related to the provision to KPMG “high net worth” clients an amnesty provision freeing those clients from any civil or criminal prosecution – including fines and penalties related to the use of certain offshore tax provisions which have been described as “grossly negligent” and “intended to deceive”;

That the committee also call for officials of KPMG involved in this practice to attend the committee to provide clarification and explanation; and

That the committee call for the production of the May 1, 2015, nine page letter signed by Stephanie Henderson forwarded to officers of KPMG related to this matter and that the letter be provided to the committee no later than April 11, 2016.

And the Committee resumed consideration of the amendment of Ron Liepert, — That the motion be amended by adding, after the words “Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)” and before the words “including Ms Stephanie Henderson”, the following words: “and the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue”.

By unanimous consent, the motion of Francesco Sorbara was withdrawn.

Francesco Sorbara moved, — That the Standing Committee on Finance call for the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, officials from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) including Ms. Stephanie Henderson, manager of offshore compliance, and officials from the Department of Justice to appear before the committee to provide the steps being taken by the Agency to combat tax evasion and tax avoidance and provide an explanation as to the current status of the KPMG/Isle of Man file; and

That the committee also call for officials of KPMG to appear before the committee to explain their role in this file.

On motion of Phil McColeman, it was agreed, — That consideration of the motion of Francesco Sorbara be postponed to the end of the first panel of witnesses.

Craig Alexander, David Macdonald, as well as Wanda Morris and Bruce Ball, by videoconference from Toronto, Ontario, made statements and answered questions.

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion of Francesco Sorbara, — That the Standing Committee on Finance call for the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, officials from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) including Ms. Stephanie Henderson, manager of offshore compliance, and officials from the Department of Justice to appear before the committee to provide the steps being taken by the Agency to combat tax evasion and tax avoidance and provide an explanation as to the current status of the KPMG/Isle of Man file; and

That the committee also call for officials of KPMG to appear before the committee to explain their role in this file.

The debate continued.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 4.

It was agreed, — That the meeting with the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue (the Minister), on the study of tax evasion and tax avoidance, be held on or before May 20, 2016, for one hour; and that the Minister also be invited to appear on the Main Estimates 2016-17 during the second hour of this same meeting.

At 12:25 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:28 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Angella MacEwen, Matthew Stewart, along with Charles Lammam and Kevin Milligan, by videoconference from Vancouver, British Columbia, made statements and answered questions.