Conservative Government Reforms Uphold Your Right to Respectful, Fair and Accountable Tax Service

May30, 2007

Making Parliamentarians accountable for your tax dollars.

Making criminals accountable for their actions.

Making government departments accountable to the Canadians they serve.

These goals prompted me to enter political life over 20 years ago. And slowly but surely, despite the difficulties inherent in a minority Parliament where all of the opposition parties oppose these reforms, our Conservative Government is getting the job done.

In past weeks, I’ve outlined how we have persevered to enact some of our democratic and justice reforms. This week, I am pleased to announce that Canadians are finally going to see enhanced accountability from the Canada Revenue Agency through a Taxpayer Bill of Rights and the creation of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsman.

I’ve made no secret of my frustration over the treatment that some of my constituents and riding businesses have been subjected to over the years when dealing with the Canada Revenue Agency. Far too often, I’ve seen taxpayers and businesses encounter unnecessary red tape and lack of information about their CRA accounts and decisions related to their tax bill.

My staff and I frequently intervene with CRA on behalf of constituents and, fortunately, matters are often resolved. The majority of CRA staff are helpful and knowledgeable. However, in some cases, it’s apparent that there is an urgent need to instil an improved sense of service, respect and accountability.

The Taxpayer Bill of Rights, announced by National Revenue Minister Carol Skelton this week, outlines and defines fifteen rights for taxpayers, which are a combination of statutory and service rights.

Statutory rights are enforced through regulations and legislation and include the right to a formal review and appeal, and the right to privacy and confidentiality, among other rights.

However, good service cannot be legislated. Therefore, service rights, including taxpayers’ right to be treated professionally, courteously and fairly with access to complete, accurate, clear and timely information, will be implemented through a new complaint resolution process called CRA Service Complaints. This new program must report annually to Parliament, holding itself accountable to all Canadians.

Furthermore, the new service rights under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights will be upheld by the new Taxpayers’ Ombudsman. The Ombudsman will be an independent and impartial officer operating at arm’s length from the CRA and its Board of Management. A public selection process for this position is already underway.

In addition to the fifteen rights that apply to all taxpayers, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights includes a five-part commitment to Small Business. These obligations recognize the CRA’s role in minimizing the compliance burden on business, specifically the amount of paperwork involved in complying with the tax system.

Now, in addition to their MP, small businesses and taxpayers will have somewhere else to turn. Better yet, because it’s not contingent on a piece of legislation, this is one reform the opposition parties cannot gut, stall or block at the House of Commons committees or in the chamber.

With resourcefulness and persistence, our Conservative government is overcoming opposition partisan games to do the job Canadians elected us to do!

For details on these measures, go to: www.cra.gc.ca/rights and www.cra.gc.ca/ombudsman.