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Results: 91 - 105 of 461
Bob Hamilton
View Bob Hamilton Profile
Bob Hamilton
2021-05-04 11:49
It is an interesting question that you raise. While people typically think of us as the tax collector—or some people do—a significant part of our activity is delivering benefits at both the federal and the provincial level.
One of the issues that we come up against, which I referenced earlier, and the Auditor General will be helping us, is how confident we can be that people are engaging with the tax and benefit system in either filing returns or claiming the benefits that they're entitled to.
We do outreach into specific communities. We've had a pilot project with indigenous communities to have a simplified tax form. As you mentioned, there's the community volunteer program, which is very effective. It had a bit of difficulty through the pandemic because of the restriction on in-person meetings, but we found a way to do some of that virtually.
We're always looking for different ways to make sure people are aware of what they're entitled to, as well as their obligations.
View Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Profile
BQ (QC)
Thank you, Madam Chair.
My question is for Mr. Hamilton.
Good morning, Mr. Hamilton, and welcome to the committee. It is always a pleasure to hear from you.
I assume you listened carefully to my discussion with Mr. Dompierre. I would like to hear your comments on the female presumption concept, which the agency is currently using when paying out the Canada child benefit. It is my understanding that you accepted the Office of the Auditor General's recommendation on this.
Could you tell the committee about the process that led the agency to review its rules to ensure monitoring in this respect?
Bob Hamilton
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Bob Hamilton
2021-05-04 11:51
That is actually a challenge for us. As we said, this is part of the Income Tax Act, and we must comply with its provisions.
Generally speaking, we focus on two aspects. On the one hand, we determine whether the rules and processes are clear for our employees, whether the employees have received the training they need and whether communication is clear enough. On the other hand, we determine whether the rules are clear for taxpayers and benefit recipients. As Mr. Vermaeten said, relationships between two parents can be complex, and rules and ways of sharing benefits must be explained very clearly to them.
That is problematic for us because, according to our philosophy, they are people first and foremost. The objective of all of our programs is to facilitate very clear communication while taking the context of the act into account.
View Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Profile
BQ (QC)
Thank you for clarifying, Mr. Hamilton.
I am concerned about the accuracy and precision of information, which raised doubts in the auditor general's mind.
Can you confirm that you are certain that all the mechanisms in place will help avoid fraud? Are you certain that the Canada Revenue Agency will deal with the information provided by taxpayers fairly, that it will ensure that the amounts are paid out legitimately and that those who are tempted to profit from the benefit fraudulently will be prosecuted?
Bob Hamilton
View Bob Hamilton Profile
Bob Hamilton
2021-05-04 11:53
The relationship between the two parents can sometimes change, and the agency must occasionally wait a certain amount of time to receive information on that change. We continue to improve this process in order to obtain recent information. However, there will always be processing delays.
The money can be recovered afterwards.
View Matthew Green Profile
NDP (ON)
Madam Chair, I always appreciate your gentle hand in guiding the conversation on to the next round.
I have some real concerns about the tax filing dates and the reports we're hearing from accountants and from the voluntary tax clinics across the country.
Last year, when the tax filing deadline was extended, did you notice an impact on people receiving the CCB payments? Acknowledging that there is no extension in the foreseeable future for this extended period, do you consider that to also be a disruption in the delivery of this program?
Bob Hamilton
View Bob Hamilton Profile
Bob Hamilton
2021-05-04 11:55
Madam Chair, I'll take that question.
In fact, as you referenced, one of the reasons that we like to have the filing deadline as early as possible is to give us some time to review and assess the benefits that are due to be paid before the start of the new benefit year in July.
We now have the filings in, and we're in that process. We think that gives us the maximum chance to make sure that people get the benefits they're eligible for, rather than have them discontinued for a period of time while we go forward.
I think that last year—
View Matthew Green Profile
NDP (ON)
Just to be clear on that point, through you, Madam Chair—I only have two and a half minutes—we used to do a voluntary tax clinic. Our office processed up to 5,000 tax applications a year. This year we're only going to do about 1,500. I'm going to presume that there are tens of thousands of Canadians, if not hundreds of thousands, who are not going to get their tax filings in on time.
Have you seen a decrease in applications compared to previous years, or are you suggesting that we're on par with like numbers this year to date?
Bob Hamilton
View Bob Hamilton Profile
Bob Hamilton
2021-05-04 11:56
Madam Chair, I'll provide a general response to that, but maybe my colleague Mr. Vermaeten will have more precise numbers.
I would say that overall we see roughly the same number of tax filings as we would in a normal year at this time. I'll maybe look to Frank to confirm that, but.... We were behind for a little while.
Bob Hamilton
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Bob Hamilton
2021-05-04 11:57
I'd have to defer to my colleague to answer that question, so maybe Frank...or we can get back to the committee on any impact that the CERB may have had on people's eligibility for the CCB.
View Matthew Green Profile
NDP (ON)
I'm happy to get that in writing, as I know my time is up and the chair is about to gently nudge us along. Thank you.
View Corey Tochor Profile
CPC (SK)
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Generally I'm very supportive of the CCB. I think it's a great program that lets families choose how to spend those dollars on what's right for their families. However, there are concerns, and the report looks at some of the risks associated with the program. I can't think of a bigger risk that's going to be facing future governments than inflation.
You mentioned in the backgrounder that the benefit is tied to inflation. It wasn't mentioned in the report, but I am just wondering why, if you did look at it, it wasn't included. Do you have any comments about what effect an inflation rate of 3%—or 5%, in the worst case—would have on the cost of the program?
Results: 91 - 105 of 461 | Page: 7 of 31

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