Mr. Speaker, in 1991 a Revenue Canada tax ruling allowed one of the wealthiest families in the country to avoid a $700 million tax bill by transferring a $2 billion family trust out of the country.
In 1996, on behalf of all Canadians, George Harris charged Revenue Canada with failing to enforce federal law by not collecting the taxes it was owed. Last week the federal court of appeal tossed out the federal government's appeal and allowed this case to proceed. Four judges have now ruled that Mr. Harris has standing in this case.
The government should stop obstructing this case with appeals and let the matter proceed so that a ruling can be made before the 10 year agreement with the family in question runs out and Ottawa is unable to collect the taxes owed.
Canada's tax system must be fair for everyone. Revenue Canada should not be allowed to act illegally to give special favours to some taxpayers and not to others.