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Results: 1 - 61 of 61
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Thank you very much.
Hello to all my colleagues.
Mr. Chair, I would like to take this opportunity, before beginning my presentation, to wish you a happy birthday.
Thank you for this invitation to provide details on the Canada Revenue Agency's strategies to combat tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance.
Let me begin by saying that the Government of Canada and the CRA are firmly committed to combatting tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance on all fronts. And we are all committed to making things much more difficult for those who choose not to meet their tax obligations.
In fact, since 2016, the Government of Canada has made investments that have helped provide the CRA with better data, better methodology and, ultimately, better results.
In particular, these investments have enabled the agency to develop a strategy that promotes global data sharing. Let's face it, tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance are complex global problems.
The CRA is working with international partners through various multilateral organizations, including the Organization for Economic Co‑operation and Development, or OECD, and its forum on tax administration, the FTA. I was pleased to see that Mr. Bob Hamilton, commissioner of the CRA, was appointed chair of the FTA in August 2020.
As a result of its modern and collaborative strategy, Canada is member to 93 tax treaties and 24 international tax information exchange agreements. In fact, Canada is one of more than 70 countries that exchange information through the country‑by‑country reporting system.
In addition, Canada participates in the electronic funds transfer reporting program, which is related to international electronic funds transfers over $10,000. And with the implementation of the common reporting standard in 2016, Canada, alongside nearly 100 other jurisdictions, benefits from financial institution data that identifies financial accounts held by non-resident clients for tax purposes.
With these improved resources and tools, the CRA is now able to focus on large multinationals, high net worth networks, the underground economy, cryptocurrency and real estate transactions.
The CRA is now seeing these signs of success because of the investments made by the Government of Canada.
In recent years, the CRA has assessed the equivalent of more than $12 billion each year through audits, more than 60% of which were related to tax avoidance by large multinationals and aggressive tax planning by high net worth individuals.
And I must note that these investments have generated approximately $5 billion in additional federal tax revenue, as of March 2021.
Additionally, the CRA's criminal investigations program has enhanced its ability to investigate the most serious tax crimes. It is important to note that the agency investigates complex cases in collaboration with its partners in the Department of Finance and the Department of Justice to close what may be perceived as legal loopholes. And I must remind you that the CRA has shifted its focus to more hard-hitting investigations, which result in more jail time and higher fines.
However, we must never forget that tax evasion often involves very complex domestic and international money transfer structures, which require the CRA to complete lengthy and time-consuming intelligence gathering processes.
I also want to note that we are increasingly seeing high net worth taxpayers using the court system when they are audited in order to avoid providing documents and information to the agency. And I want to emphasize that the volume of complex litigation is up significantly from previous years, with approximately 3,000 active cases considered high level in complexity.
As a result, first announced in the 2020 fall economic statement and confirmed in budget 2021, the Government of Canada has committed to invest $606 million over five years, beginning in 2021‑22, to continue this complex work.
These investments will close the compliance gap for high net worth individuals, strengthen technical support for high-risk audits, improve the CRA's ability to identify tax evasion involving trusts, improve the CRA's ability to stop fraudulent or unjustified GST/HST refunds, and, finally, improve the criminal investigations program.
In addition to the financial investments from budget 2021 legislative changes will also be put in place to strengthen the rules on transfer pricing, oral testimony, base erosion and profit shifting, and mandatory disclosure rules.
Before I conclude, I would like to wish the chair of this committee, Mr. Wayne Easter, a very happy retirement.
I want to thank you personally for your outstanding work on behalf of Canadians. We will miss you.
Mr. Chair, I am proud to say that the Government of Canada and the CRA have shown determination and innovation in creating effective and proactive approaches to identifying those who avoid paying their fair share of taxes or who are taking steps to do so.
Thank you.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, as I said, combatting tax fraud in Canada and abroad is a priority for our government. In fact, we see that budget 2021 includes numerous investments and also policy proposals that have been very well received and are based on the hard work done by CRA in this matter.
I do hope, Mr. Chair, that my colleague will vote in favour of our budget so we are able to move forward and serve Canadians well.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, I want to tell my colleague that before we can add up the amounts that were allocated to the Canada emergency response benefit, we have to wait for tax season to be over. We will then be able to collect the information.
However, I have to tell you that our government was very proud to be able to help Canadians at the beginning of the pandemic. I want to tell my colleague that it would have cost Canadians a lot more if our government had not stepped in.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I thank my colleague for his question.
In 2013‑2014, the CRA did 43 audits relating to tax evasion. In 2019‑2020, 1,100 audits were done. We can clearly see that all the work we have done is bearing fruit.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, the Canada Revenue Agency treats all Canadians equitably. That is one of the CRA's principles. The clients are truly central to our concerns and we try to offer them the best service possible, that is, fair service. We make sure that everyone pays their fair share.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, our government respects the independence of the CRA. My role is not to order the CRA to undertake audits and I do not intervene in those audits.
That is really part of the CRA's process, unlike the Conservatives' approach. If my colleague wants more information about administrative matters, I can ask Mr. Gallivan, the assistant commissioner, to answer him.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, Mr. Kelly is asking questions about administrative matters. My role, as Minister of National Revenue, is not administrative, unlike the Conservatives when they were in power and did not hesitate to try to intervene in the integrity of the tax system. If Mr. Kelly wants to obtain accurate information in answer to his questions, Mr. Gallivan will provide him with it.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague for her question.
I agree that combatting tax evasion is a difficult task for the government, a serious and complex one that takes time. We are tackling these very profound problems and very wealthy people who have the resources to hire the best lawyers and the best teams.
On the question of the Panama Papers, the government has invested over a billion dollars and has identified 900 Canadians. More than 200 audits have been completed and 160 audits are underway.
We have given the CRA the tools and resources to fight tax evasion. That fight was not a priority for the Conservative government, as was even confirmed publicly by one of their former ministers of national revenue, Jean-Pierre Blackburn.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, my colleague is asking me an important question.
In fact, all the work that has been started by the Canada Revenue Agency has to continue. In budget 2021, we propose to eliminate the loopholes that allow people to avoid paying taxes in Canada. We are providing an additional $304 million to modernize and improve the CRA's capacity to fight tax evasion. For the next steps, we want to modernize and improve Canada's general anti-avoidance rules.
I often hear the Conservatives talk about “the Liberals' pals” and it makes my hair stand on end. Because I have been at the Canada Revenue Agency since 2016, I have been able to see that it is the Conservatives who protect their pals. The Conservatives are the ones who don't want the wealthiest people, the ones with the means to pay lawyers and delay the processes, to pay their fair share. They are the ones who protect their pals, Mr. Chair, not the Liberals, who want everyone to pay their fair share.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, in 2019‑2020, more than 1,100 audits were done, unlike what was done in the past. For example, in 2013‑2014, 43 audits were done. So we see that the work is bearing fruit.
Thank you.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I thank my colleague for all of his preamble and his long question. I have sincere sympathy for the victims of fraud and I understand how much it can affect their lives. However, I can say that under the provisions of the Income Tax Act, I can't comment on any specific case. As my colleague knows very well, I cannot give and I will never give the CRA any instructions concerning criminal investigations.
As is the role of our government, my role is to provide tools and resources so that the CRA, which is autonomous, can do its own work. Out of respect for the obvious principles of judicial independence, politicians must not ever interfere in investigations. That would be really very inappropriate.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, as you all know, committees are independent. You manage your own business.
What I am seeing at present is that my colleague wants to play police officer. I invite him to give up his seat as a member and apply for a position as an investigator with the RCMP, where there are vacant positions. He would probably be happier there than in his present position.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, I am going to ask my colleague to vote on budget 2021, which sets out proposals that really are even more useful for eliminating the loopholes used to avoid paying taxes in Canada, and that allocate additional money to the CRA so that it can modernize and improve its capacities.
In addition to all the work done and the agreements signed by the countries, I am also very happy to see that the United States has embarked on the same path. We are therefore going to work in collaboration with our partners. As I said at the outset, this is a long and complex issue, and I understand very well that the public are offended. We are continuing our work and we truly want to combat tax evasion. This is a priority for our government.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague for his question. We know that I have very sincere sympathy for the people who have been victims of fraud, just as he does. I truly understand how much this can affect their lives.
However, as I said, and it doesn't bother me to repeat it, our government respects the CRA's status. I can't instruct the CRA to initiate audits and I do not intervene in audits. This is what protects the integrity of the tax system. We are going to continue doing the work we do, and because we want to keep moving forward, I invite my colleague to vote for the budget that has been introduced. It contains even greater resources to tighten the net and make sure that people pay their fair share.
If my colleague wishes to get any more technical and administrative information, Mr. Gallivan can answer him.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, we are taking on very wealthy people. These people have the resources to pay the best lawyers, the best tax law experts, and the best teams to defend them.
Canada adheres to the rule of law, and these people use all legal means available to them to ensure that they do not pay their fair share.
I invite my colleague to support the budget so we can provide the resources to do even more to deal with those who commit fraud.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
As I have said multiple times since the meeting began, these are very complex cases.
I would ask my colleague not to act as if he doesn't understand simple things. If I were to interfere in criminal investigations, I would be before the committee being accused of exactly the opposite.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, I would like to tell my colleague that if she wants to change the laws, the Minister of National Revenue is not who she should be talking to; it's the Minister of Finance. The Minister of Finance is who prepares the legislation. At the Canada Revenue Agency, we just apply it.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, the CRA does not lose money every year fighting tax evasion. With the billion dollars that has been invested by our government, we have managed to recover $5 billion. Mr. Gallivan can provide all of the administrative information my colleague needs.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, I would like to remind my colleague that when we came to power, we raised taxes for the richest people, but lowered them for the middle class. From the beginning, we were here to help, through the Canada child benefit and the guaranteed income supplement. We instituted measures to help Canadians before the pandemic and during the pandemic, and we are going to be here to help after the pandemic.
I can understand that tax evasion represents money lost, for my Conservative colleague, since it was never a priority for the Conservative government and fighting tax evasion is still not a priority for the Conservatives today.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, in 2013‑14, the CRA did only 43 audits in connection with international tax evasion. For 2019‑20, 1,100 audits were done. My colleague said we are doing fewer audits. That is false.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
I thank my colleague, who is also my parliamentary secretary, for his question.
Our government has invested over $1 billion in the Canada Revenue Agency. It actually had to organize an entire sector of the CRA so that, as I said, it could provide the resources and tools needed to be able to combat tax evasion. We had lost expertise. We have sought out people, we have signed agreements, country by country, and we are working with the OECD, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The CRA works at the international level. That is why it is so important to support the 2020‑21 budget. We are giving ourselves additional tools to ensure that the rules and the laws that enable us to take more effective action against tax evasion are tightened.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
I thank my colleague for his question.
As I said, I can understand very well. I have enormous sympathy for the people who have been victims of fraud. I know how much this must affect them.
Out of respect for the obvious principles of judicial independence, I believe that politicians should never interfere in investigations.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
I can understand my colleague's frustrations. For our part, we govern. We establish priorities.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, it is completely false to say that the ultra-rich have been treated with kid gloves. At least, that is not how I will treat them, because I have absolutely no respect for the people who defraud the tax system.
I don't know what my colleague is trying to do, but if he thinks we are going to solve everything, I think he is naive, because this is a global problem. As I said a little earlier, the ultra-rich pay ultra-lawyers and ultra-tax experts and do everything in their power not to pay their fair share.
That is why it is so important for our government to give the CRA the resources and tools needed to carry out investigations, which are ongoing at present. We have not yet achieved the anticipated results, but I can tell you that the CRA has done its job. I congratulate it.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, my colleague said that no investigation has been carried out, which is totally false. If he had listened to what Mr. Gallivan said, he would know that there are cases before the court as we speak. We have not yet achieved the anticipated results. It is not up to me to tell lawyers and the court whether they should proceed with a charge or not, because that is a completely independent process in which I do not intervene. What my colleague said is not true, and I urge him not to misinform the public.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, my colleague's question is really an administrative one, so I am going to ask Mr. Gallivan to answer it.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, the questions my colleague is asking me are administrative questions. I can't answer administrative questions, because that is not my role as Minister of National Revenue.
I will yield the floor to Mr. Gallivan.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, I can tell you that tax evasion is particularly important to me, not just to me, but to our government as well. In fact, it is because it is so important to us that we have invested so much money in this program.
Mr. Chair, I urge the Conservatives to vote for the budget that has been introduced, to give us more tools that will have the effect of tightening the rules and combatting tax evasion.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague very much for her question.
What I am going to say is also found in my mandate letter. The CRA has not only developed a plan that promotes the collection of essential data with international partners, but it is also working in close collaboration with the other Canadian government departments. We work with the Departments of Finance, Justice and Public Safety.
What is set out in the budget is intended precisely to eliminate even more loopholes that are used to avoid paying taxes in Canada. That is why it is so important to us, at the CRA, for all our colleagues around the table to vote for the budget.
We want to improve the CRA's capacity to fight tax evasion and modernize the general anti-avoidance rules in Canada. That is a priority. We are moving forward and we are going in the right direction, but we need everyone's collaboration. Fighting tax evasion has to be a whole-of-government priority.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Thank you very much, Mr. Easter. I again wish you—
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Good afternoon, Mr. Chair.
Thank you for this invitation to tell you about the work of the Canada Revenue Agency in supporting Canadians during this unprecedented time. The work you are undertaking on government measures to support Canadians in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is very important.
I am pleased to be accompanied today by the commissioner of the Canada Revenue Agency, Bob Hamilton, and three members of the agency's senior management: Frank Vermaeten, assistant commissioner, assessment, benefit and service branch; Geoff Trueman, assistant commissioner, legislative policy and regulatory affairs branch; and Ted Gallivan, assistant commissioner, compliance programs branch.
Since 2015, I have focused on improving the service delivery that is offered to Canadians. This means the agency and I place Canadians at the centre of all our priorities. We recently launched our People First philosophy and it is the pillar of our new service model. This philosophy is a key element in the agency's response to implementing the emergency economic measures.
Driven by the People First philosophy, agency employees have been working hard to support Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to taking part in an impressive mobilization of human resources in the field, we are also seeing a significant increase in the technology being used every day to serve Canadians in an even more accessible, efficient and rapid manner.
Allow me to give you an overview of the CRA's work over the past eight weeks. The agency started by realigning its efforts in order to be more efficient during this crisis. Then, on March 18, it announced it was pushing back the tax filing deadline for individuals, corporations and trusts, thereby relieving Canadians of that burden.
In the same spirit, the agency also announced the temporary suspension of the vast majority of audits. The agency then worked quickly to implement the government's various economic measures. First and foremost: the Canada emergency response benefit.
As I am sure you know, the agency is responsible for a significant part of administering the CERB, and the CRA is fully responsible for administering the Canada emergency wage subsidy, CEWS, as well as the Canada emergency student benefit, the CESB.
Regarding the CERB and the CEWS, I am especially proud of how quick and easy the application process is for Canadians. And I must emphasize that the amounts are paid promptly. In fact, most people receive their payment by direct deposit within three business days—sometimes even two days.
We have also demonstrated significant technological capacity, which is very impressive when you consider the online services were set up in just a few weeks. When the CERB was launched, the agency's system registered 30,000 applications in 12 minutes. Since April 6, the agency has reviewed and processed nearly 7.5 million CERB applications, for more than 4.45 million individuals.
I am very proud of the agency's incredible work under these circumstances. In fact, the media described the technological implementation of the CERB as a “small miracle.” This miracle would have been impossible without the exceptional cooperation between the agency's public servants and those from Employment and Social Development Canada.
On April 27, the agency deployed a new economic measure, namely, the Canada emergency wage subsidy. Again, everyone pitched in to make this application process a success. To date, the agency has received over 128,000 applications for the wage subsidy.
Finally, the agency will soon be able to launch the Canada emergency student benefit, the CESB. Students will soon be able to submit their application through the agency portal and the My Account service.
The CRA was able to mobilize a lot of people in the blink of an eye, starting with the agents at its call centres. To keep up the pace, the agency also reassigned many employees to new duties. A total of 7,500 employees answered a call to lend a hand to the call centres. Of course, while all this work took place, the CRA also made sure that appropriate compliance measures were put in place for all applications for emergency financial assistance.
Ensuring compliance is an essential part of the agency's mission. We are committed to preserving the integrity of our Canadian tax system. In this regard, the agency developed strict auditing measures—electronic and manual—and several safeguards for claimant eligibility, refund terms, and even tax loopholes. You can rest assured that offenders will face severe consequences, up to and including imprisonment.
Mr. Chair, this pandemic continues to have a terrible impact on many of our fellow citizens—not only on their health, but also on their economic well-being. However, I am proud of the efficiency with which the entire government has mobilized in recent weeks to support Canadians. As the saying goes, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” I can proudly tell you that agency employees have shown that they are, indeed, very tough.
I am now ready to take your questions. Thank you.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Thank you for your question, Mr. Morantz.
The Canada Revenue Agency's priority was to ensure that Canada emergency benefit payments would be delivered quickly and efficiently to eligible Canadians. As with all other benefits administered by the agency, we may undertake audit activities at a later date.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
I'm sorry, Mr. Morantz, I didn't quite understand your question.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
We are currently experiencing a historical situation like we haven't seen since the Second World War. As I was saying, the important thing for the Canada Revenue Agency was to ensure that Canadians receive benefits to help them get through the current crisis. I can assure you that the agency has mechanisms in place to recover the money that will need to be recovered.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Our government understands that Canadians are going through a very difficult time. We are here to support them. That is why we have announced a series of measures, including extending the deadline for filing income tax returns to June 1, 2020. We continue to monitor the situation and developments very closely and are currently working on solutions that will be communicated to you shortly.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Mr. Chair, all of the agency's teams are mobilized to give effect to the emergency measures that need to be made available to Canadians. As I mentioned, the agency reached nearly 7.5 million Canadians.
We continue to process tax returns, whether paper or electronic, so that people receive their benefits and the money they are owed as quickly as possible.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
As I mentioned, we know this is a very difficult time for Canadian companies and their employees. Our government is doing everything it can to support Canadians.
The application process was launched two weeks ago. We have received over 127,000 applications since the launch. The majority of the companies are small and medium-sized enterprises.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
I would like to say to my colleague that the companies that apply find the process simple. Indeed, the objective of our programs was to have simple and fast processes to be able to support all our companies.
If you'd like a little more technical detail, I could let the officials respond, either Mr. Gallivan or Mr. Vermaeten.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
You're absolutely right when you say that the agency employees did an incredible job.
In order to be able to deliver benefits to people, whether the Canada emergency response benefit or the Canada emergency wage subsidy, all employees had to focus on the emergency measures we had to implement for Canadians. In addition, we need to ensure the safety of our employees. So many of our employees are working from home. We had to organize telephone services at home, while at the same time maintaining data privacy for all Canadians. That's why we're saying that they did an incredible job.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
I can tell you that these investigations are ongoing. When we talk about audits, we're talking about the regular work that is done on a daily basis. It's part of the agency's work.
With regard to the audits, if you want more technical details, one of the officials in charge could answer your question.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Thank you. Initially, the money invested was also used for organization, to put in place and consolidate the tools our public servants use. This made it possible to hire auditors and rebuild an expertise that had been taken away from us by the previous government, for which this was not a priority.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Investigations are ongoing and cases will be litigated. Requests have been made in this regard, as per regulations. Mr. Gallivan, who really is the expert on tax evasion, will be able to answer you very well.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
I would say that your question is too complex to be answered with a yes or no answer. What I can say, though, is that all the programs we put in place really serve to protect the workers and employees of companies, regardless of who their employer is. I can assure you that we continue to fight against companies that use these stratagems.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
I'm sorry, Mr. Chair.
As I was telling you, Mr. Green, this type of case is complex because people use very sophisticated schemes. We will continue to protect employees, no matter who they work for. My goal is really to make sure that Canadians have money to pay for their groceries and their housing. Companies that use schemes will be prosecuted and held accountable. That could go as far as jail time.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
Among other measures we've taken in recent years, we have been working with the OECD. We assess four countries a year and exchange information. Our goal remains the same: to have everyone pays their fair share.
The Agency is only responsible for administering the programs. With respect to the creation of the programs and their eligibility criteria, Minister Morneau will be in a much better position to answer you. We have listened to the concerns of our colleagues and Canadians and we will continue to work to find solutions.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
As I was saying to my colleague, my job as minister is to manage the programs. If my colleague wants more information on the criteria, I suggest he addresses his question to the Minister of Finance.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
I thank my colleague for the question.
The Government of Canada is indeed working very hard. We are experiencing the most severe crisis we have had since the Second World War. A lot of money...
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
As I was saying, the agency has verification mechanisms. Right now, we are focusing all our energies on putting money back into the taxpayers' pockets. When the crisis is over, we will use our usual verification mechanisms.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
We recognize that there is a problem with the high volume of applications for all the new programs we have put in place. For this reason, we strongly encourage people to use the online services. I am very proud of the fact that we have been able to reach close to 7.5 million Canadians. There is more work to be done. It's not perfect, but we look for solutions on an ongoing basis.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
As I mentioned earlier, given the exceptional global situation—on this we agree—our government's priority is to ensure that people receive the Canada Emergency Benefit and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. So we've put all of our energies into getting money back to Canadians. We continue to process tax returns so that people receive their money as quickly as possible.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
These programs were put in place to ensure that people were able to pay for their groceries and housing, despite the high number of applications. When we talk about the 7.5 million people who have applied for the CERB, we can see that there was an urgent need to reach out to Canadians. We have put these programs in place and counted on the good faith of Canadians, trusting that people will only apply for them if they really need them.
As I was saying, there are mechanisms in place. Mr. Vermaeten is responsible for this area. He could tell you what kind of auditing could be done with the taxpayers.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
I can tell you that we have a process in place for reviewing research and development applications. We have equipped staff to prepare them to resume service to Canadian companies.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
I thank my colleague for his question. As I mentioned, the Agency put in place a simple and quick program to respond without delay to Canadians who were in great need. We also know that people may have inadvertently made mistakes. I would not want to assume that people are dishonest. As Mr. Vermaeten mentioned earlier, audits will begin next year. In any event, it is part of the agency's mandate to conduct audits. We are going to make sure that people who owe money to the agency turn that money over.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
I think the answer is very simple: this is a historic situation. Canadians were experiencing great hardship and losing their jobs. The fact that 7.5 million people applied shows how important this program was to our population.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
When the audits are done, we will be able to recover the money, but my primary objective was really to ensure that families, single mothers, people in our community, workers who had lost their jobs and seniors who were in financial difficulty because of COVID-19 received money to help them get through this crisis.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
When we have responded to the population's plight, when we have fed our people, when we have made sure that people's housing is paid for and that our families and our people are safe, we will be happy to do the checks and give that information to my colleague.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
I thank my colleague for his important question. Indeed, when we made the request to the agency's employees, we knew that we would need additional call centre staff. Seven thousand five hundred Canada Revenue Agency members offered to help.
For the much more technical details, I'll direct you to Commissioner Hamilton.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
I know this is a very important issue for you. I'm going to turn it over to Mr. Ted Gallivan, who can answer you about the very technical aspects. It's a lot more complex than you think.
View Diane Lebouthillier Profile
Lib. (QC)
I recognize that some Canadians have not been able to access the usual services, such as the community volunteer income tax program. That is because of the current situation. We have received your letter and those of other members of Parliament, and we will take your comments and recommendations into consideration.
Results: 1 - 61 of 61

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