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Results: 256 - 270 of 302
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
We have specified that the KPMG matter is not closed. Investigations concerning the identified taxpayers are ongoing. Given the major investments our government has made, we are confident that we can continue to work on all matters related to tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance schemes.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
As part of the announcement we made in April about the Canada Revenue Agency, we stated that the CRA was, indeed, going to undertake a detailed study of measures related to the tax gap. This will be done during the coming year.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Yes. You're correct. Resources have once again been allocated. In a summary of the situation that was given to me, I was told that, last year, people who were trying to contact the agency had to make up to 10 telephone calls before they could speak with someone and obtain information.
I was very happy to learn last week, during a meeting with my senior officials, that the number of staff had been increased and that the number of calls each person was making had decreased to two. Naturally, my objective is to ensure people can be answered as quickly as possible when they call. People have concerns, even though 95% of Canadians fill out their income tax forms and do things properly. So we need to be able to give them answers. CRA clients are Canadians. It's the CRA that works for Canadians, not the other way around.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Yes. I believe the agency will achieve those better results. I have every confidence in the professionals in place. Since my arrival at the department, I've established a short-term, medium-term, and long-term action plan involving CRA staff, professionals, and senior officials.
The action plan submitted to the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister's Office has enabled us to obtain, as part of an overall envelope, close to $1 billion to combat tax evasion and address all aspects of client access and client service.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I thank you for the opportunity to participate in the committee's study of the main estimates 2016-17.
I am joined by several Canada Revenue Agency officials: Mr. Geoff Trueman, the assistant commissioner of the legislative policy and regulatory affairs branch; Mr. Ted Gallivan, the assistant commissioner of international, large business and investigations branch; and Mr. Roch Huppé, the assistant commissioner of the finance and administration branch. Mr. Huppé will speak briefly about the main estimates and answer your questions, but I would like to say a few words by way of introduction.
I spoke earlier today to your committee about some of the proposed measures in Budget 2016 that will help the CRA combat tax evasion and tax avoidance. A secure tax base is the foundation for a healthy economy, a sustainable social infrastructure, and a strong democracy. I would like to add that the Government of Canada proposes two additional areas of investment that will also support the work of the CRA and my priorities as Minister of National Revenue. Those priorities are in my mandate letter.
Budget 2016 proposes to invest $351 million in the CRA's ability to collect outstanding tax debt, and $186 million to improve service to Canadians through better telephone access, easy-to-understand correspondence, and increased outreach for vulnerable and low-income Canadians. That is a total investment exceeding $1 billion over the next five years, a testament to the importance of the work the CRA does.
As you are aware, Mr. Chair, Canada's tax system is based on voluntary self-assessment and compliance. Within this system, the CRA plays a special role. It administers tax laws for the Government of Canada and for most Canadian provinces and territories, and it administers various social and economic benefit and incentive programs that are delivered through the tax system. The taxes collected by the CRA are critical to families, businesses, and communities. When Canadians meet their tax obligations, they are helping to fund health care, post-secondary education, social programs, infrastructure, and many other programs. This is why it is crucial that everyone pays their fair share of taxes, so that all Canadians can benefit.
In 2014-15, the CRA processed $469 billion in revenues and engaged with 31 million individual and corporate taxpayers. More than 92% of taxpayers file their taxes and pay the amount they owe on time. The CRA also delivers important benefits to many eligible Canadians. Last year, the CRA delivered $22 billion in benefit payments to 12 million recipients.
With new funding of $186 million, the CRA will be able to reach out to Canadians who may be entitled to benefits but not be receiving them. By offering services that are proactive, more helpful, and easier to use, the CRA will ensure that people who interact with the agency feel like valued clients, not just taxpayers.
We are confident that our proposed investment in the CRA's ability to protect the revenue base while improving service to Canadians will yield significant returns. It will also help ensure that our tax system operates as fairly and effectively as possible.
I would now like to turn you over to Roch Huppé, who will walk you through the CRA's main estimates.
Thank you.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Since taking office as Minister of Revenue, I have visited offices throughout Canada. I can tell you that telephone service is not offered between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Mr. Gallivan, who is more familiar with the improvements we are making, will be able to answer you on that point.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Yes, as we were saying, we have budgeted for $1 billion over the next five years.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Yes, this really is customer service, where we have to respond to a request quickly and be able to provide information in a form that can be understood. Access to clients means doing outreach to people with disabilities, people who live in remote areas and may not have access to electronic services, and also seniors. So it is a service that is really based on the specific characteristics of certain client groups. There are also the aboriginal communities. We have to be in contact with them in order to give them access to various programs. In the case of the aboriginal communities, we have to make sure they are able to receive the Canada child benefit. To do that, people have to fill out their tax return. All in all, it is important for us to reach the entire population so everyone has access to the programs they are entitled to.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
I sincerely thank my colleague for his question.
In fact, client service is part of my mandate letter and one of the priorities of the Canadian government. We have already begun to put measures in place so that the correspondence we send people is easy to understand. We talked about telephone services earlier. We want to ensure that people are able to get responses much faster.
We have put a whole system in place for processing requests. When people have trouble paying what they owe the government, it is important to treat them well and make sure that everyone fulfills their obligations.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Yes, that is also part of client services. We are well aware that, in the case of the neediest or most disadvantaged clients, things having to do with the tax system are complicated. A lot of people did not have access to additional credits. The government is therefore truly committed to this. One of the CRA's priorities is to provide information when people call.
The CRA does not let people guess and search in this very complex system for the credits they are entitled to. When people call, we provide them with guidance in this regard.
The volunteer program is also designed this way. We want to enable people to get the money they are entitled to, to improve their quality of life.
Results: 256 - 270 of 302 | Page: 18 of 21

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