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Results: 1 - 41 of 41
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
That is what my colleague will never be able to do. I have told him repeatedly that the Canada Revenue Agency is independent. I cannot initiate an investigation—
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
I can tell my colleague that, at Revenue Canada, we are very proud of the work that we have done, whether it is on the issue of tax evasion or in terms of customer service. This is also National Public Service Week. We have arranged for 8.5 million people to be able to receive the CERB.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table in both official languages the 2019-2020 annual report of the Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsman, entitled “Transformation through Disruption”.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, the Canada Revenue Agency's priority is to ensure that emergency response payments are transferred quickly and efficiently to eligible Canadians.
The agency has safeguards in place to ensure that payments are issued appropriately. As with all other benefits administered by the agency, we may undertake audit activities at future dates. If we find that payments were made in error—
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, we consider this to be a difficult situation for Canadians, and our government will do everything it can to support them.
I can confirm that the CRA is still processing paper returns, but because of the reduced staff on site and the physical distancing, Canadians can expect delays. We regret the inconvenience this causes for those who file their returns on paper—
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague for that important question.
I can tell you that CRA employees have to deal with questions put to them. It is not up to MPs' offices to deal with specific questions about individual files.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, I must thank the officials who have done excellent work during this historic COVID-19 period.
I must tell you that CRA call centres are an essential service and the agency is able to answer calls quickly. The employees are answering calls from their homes.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague for that important question.
At the CRA, we continue to process paper returns and to do the work that we usually do.
I repeat, I must highlight the exceptional work that the agency employees are doing.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, I can confirm that the Canada Revenue Agency continues to process paper returns. Because of COVID-19, we have had to implement distancing measures to protect the employees.
We must ensure that employees are safe, but we continue to process paper returns.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, as we have said, one of our government's priorities was to invest almost $1 billion to establish a system intended to fight tax evasion. That was not at all a priority under the Conservatives.
We continue to do that important work for taxpayers; everyone must pay their fair share.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, the fight against tax evasion is a priority for our government. We will continue to target companies that use tax evasion schemes.
Let me be clear: in everything we do, we will target companies and not innocent workers. Employees are employees, no matter who they work for.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, our government considers these to be very difficult times for Canadians. We're going to do everything we can to support them by helping them pay for their housing and their groceries.
I'm very proud of the public servants who work at the Canada Revenue Agency. Nearly seven million—
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
I'll finish my response, which was interrupted: Nearly 7.8 million Canadians have applied for the Canada emergency response benefit. The priority is for Canadians to be able to pay for their groceries and their housing.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
As I mentioned, we believe that Canadians are going through a very difficult time, and we need to support them. We need to help people pay for their groceries and their housing. That's what our government is committed to, and that's what we'll continue to do.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
We are working to make sure that anyone who tries to circumvent the rules faces serious consequences.
We are asking businesses to designate a representative to attest their claims. Any employer receiving the subsidy who is deemed ineligible will have to repay the full amount. Anyone who abuses the program could face fines of up to 225% of the subsidy amount as well as five years in prison.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
We will keep going after companies that engage in tax evasion.
I want to be clear. We will target those who are responsible, not innocent workers. An employee is an employee, regardless of who they work for.
The wage subsidy program does not hand a blank cheque over to employers. It is meant to help Canadians pay their bills, keep their jobs and get through the crisis.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, as soon as we took office, in 2015, our government made cracking down on tax evaders in Canada and abroad a priority. That's precisely why we put nearly a billion dollars towards that effort. I realize that my fellow member is impatient, but he has to understand that this is a very complex issue.
Under our leadership, in three years, the Canada Revenue Agency has undertaken twice as many audits related to offshore tax evasion as it did in the 10 years the Conservatives were in power.
As we speak, the agency is conducting more than 50 criminal investigations tied to international tax evasion. I repeat, this is a top priority for our government.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, our government is taking unprecedented steps through the Canada emergency wage subsidy measure to support businesses and workers affected by COVID-19. This is largely a trust-based program, and we will not tolerate abuse. Anyone who tries to bypass the rules will face serious consequences.
Applicants have to designate an individual to attest to the truth of their claim. What's more, any employer receiving the subsidy who is deemed ineligible will have to repay the full amount. Anyone who abuses the program could face a fine of up to 225% of the wage subsidy amount and up to five years in prison. The Canada Revenue Agency also has a myriad of tools at its disposal to detect a fraudulent claim.
As I mentioned, cracking down on tax evasion is a priority for our government.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, thanks to a historic billion-dollar investment, our government has given the agency the resources it needs to do the job, and we are starting to see results.
I set up an expert advisory committee to provide us with guidance and recommendations. We tightened the rules for the voluntary disclosures program. We signed tax information exchange agreements with a number of countries. We audit four jurisdictions a year. We also work closely with the OECD.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
This is a tough time for Canadians, and our government is doing everything it can to support them. More than 7 million Canadians have applied for the Canada emergency response benefit, which the Canada Revenue Agency and Service Canada administer.
I want to say how proud I am of the work the agency is doing; staff worked tirelessly to get the program up and running in record time. Minister Qualtrough is responsible for developing the eligibility criteria and processing the claims.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Madam Chair, as soon as our government took office in 2015, we made it a priority to crack down on tax cheats. Our government's historic investments of almost $1 billion have ensured that the agency can access the necessary resources for its work. We're already starting to see the results.
As I was saying, I established an expert advisory committee to advise us. We've also been working on tightening the rules of the voluntary disclosures program. We've entered into country-by-country agreements that make it possible to share information. We're auditing four countries a year. We're working with the OECD. Currently, over 50 criminal investigations are related to international tax evasion.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Madam Chair, I completely understand my colleague's impatience. However, she must understand that this type of issue is very complex. Under the former Conservative government, the issue wasn't a priority at all. Regarding tax evasion abroad, our leadership made it possible for the agency to conduct twice as many audits in three years as it conducted in 10 years under the Conservatives. Over 50 criminal investigations related to international tax evasion are ongoing.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, good afternoon.
I want to take the time to answer my colleague properly because his question is really important.
Our government has invested unprecedented amounts of money—nearly $1 billion—to fight tax evasion. Over the past few years, we have worked on tightening the rules, including through the voluntary disclosures program. We have worked in tandem with the OECD. Every year, we have ensured to conclude agreements with every country to exchange information. Our government's priority is to continue to work on everyone paying their fair share.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, as I was explaining to my colleague, at my request, an expert panel has been created at the Canada Revenue Agency to advise us on the measures to take to avoid people getting involved in tax evasion or in abusive tax avoidance.
As I was saying, this is a key issue for us and for taxpayers. Our government has invested the most money—nearly $1 billion—to give the agency the tools to fight tax avoidance and tax evasion. We will continue to do everything we possibly can for everyone to pay their fair share.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to thank my colleague for her important question.
I want to reiterate that the fight against tax evasion in Canada and abroad is a priority for our government. With respect to tax evasion abroad, under our leadership, the agency has conducted twice as many audits in three years as it conducted in 10 years under the Conservatives. The agency is currently conducting over 50 criminal investigations related to international tax evasion. As we said, we've made unprecedented investments of almost $1 billion. We've given the agency the tools that it needs to fight tax evasion and tax avoidance.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I want to answer my colleague's important question.
We expect to receive almost one million applications from businesses for the Canada emergency wage subsidy. Of that number, 100,000 businesses generate annual revenues of over $5 million. Each application from these 100,000 businesses will be checked manually by auditors.
We'll take all the necessary measures to maintain the integrity of the tax system and to ensure that everyone pays their fair share of taxes. It should also be noted that the wage subsidy implemented by our government is really designed to protect employees, not businesses.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'll give a straightforward answer to my colleague so that he understands the response. Tax evasion and tax avoidance are really a priority for our government. Since 2015, we've invested almost $1 billion to fight these issues.
With respect to tax evasion abroad, as a result of our leadership, the agency has conducted twice as many audits in three years as it conducted in 10 years under the Conservative government.
Currently, there are over 50 criminal investigations related to international tax evasion. We've given the agency the tools that it needs to do its job effectively. We'll continue to work to maintain the integrity of the tax system, Mr. Chair.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
As we said, tax evasion and tax avoidance are a priority for our government. We made historic investments of $1 billion to fight these issues. We have agreements with countries and we conduct country-by-country audits each year. We tightened the rules of the voluntary disclosures program and we're working with the OECD. We're implementing measures. We've given the agency the tools that it needs to fight tax evasion. We'll continue working along exactly the same lines, Mr. Chair.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Yes, Mr. Chair.
The fight against tax evasion is a priority for our government.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
I work with the officials of the Canada Revenue Agency. What our government has done in the last two years is invest almost $1 billion specifically to combat tax evasion and tax avoidance.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
I certainly do not believe that you would like the Minister of National Revenue to be talking about your file, or about the file of any other parliamentarian. That would be completely inconceivable.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
I would like to add something about the disability tax credit. By dismantling the important disability advisory committee, your government deprived the disabled, those who protect their rights and professionals in the area of the opportunity to share their opinions in order to better guide the agency's decisions. The disability advisory committee, which we have reinstated, will be a major tool for the agency. We must continue to work with our partners.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
It is understood that we cannot allocate the money directly to the children. It is allocated to the provincial governments, which in turn look after managing the social services.
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)
Let me repeat the answer I gave. The Department of Finance negotiated the agreement. The Canada Revenue Agency implements the agreements negotiated by the Department of Finance.
Results: 1 - 41 of 41

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