Points of Order  Mr. Speaker, in my response to a question from the member for New Westminster—Burnaby on May 19, 2016, my remarks may have been inadvertently inaccurate. I would like to correct them. In my original response I was referring to legal procedures and ongoing civil court actions launched by the Canada Revenue Agency relating to the KPMG case.

Quebec  Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to respond to my colleague. Over the past 20 years, they completely destroyed the economy in remote regions like the Gaspé. I am very pleased that the 40 MPs from Quebec will work for Canada to represent the regions and develop Canada's economy.

Disaster Assistance  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. The safety and well-being of the people affected by the forest fires in Alberta are our top priority. That is why the CRA immediately stopped all collections and all these activities, cancelling penalties and interest for those who are unable to file their tax returns or pay amounts owing.

Canada Revenue Agency  Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, in its election platform, our government promised to crack down on tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance. These cases are currently underway, so I do not know what my colleague does not understand.

Canada Revenue Agency  Mr. Speaker, middle-class Canadians pay their fair share of taxes, but certain wealthy individuals are not doing the same. What I want to tell my colleague opposite is that criminal proceedings are underway and it is not right to misinform the public.

Canada Revenue Agency  Mr. Speaker, yes, enough is enough. Middle-class Canadians pay their taxes, but some wealthy individuals avoid paying their fair share. That is not acceptable and it must change. Our government is committed to fighting tax evasion and tax avoidance. We have given the agency a record budget of $444 million so that it can work on this file.

Canada Revenue Agency  Mr. Speaker, the agency is currently investigating the taxpayers identified in the KPMG schemes. The massive investment in our latest budget will help stop the organizations that create such schemes for the rich and that promote them. I repeat that I have asked officials in my department to obtain the list of Canadian taxpayers.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes that international tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance are critical issues. With regard to the Panama papers, I asked employees in my department to obtain the list of Canadian taxpayers, and I am pleased to inform the House that that information is now in the agency's hands.

Canada Revenue Agency  Mr. Speaker, the Canada Revenue Agency's budget for 2016 is unprecedented and historic: $444 million. That investment will enable the agency to improve its client service, support the government's efforts to fight tax evasion and tax avoidance, and improve the agency's ability to collect outstanding tax debts.

Canada Revenue Agency  Mr. Speaker, my NDP colleague is choosing to doubt the professionalism of public servants. He should listen to his colleague from Jonquière, who had this to say in the House yesterday: I am proud of Canada's public servants, the services they provide, and their professionalism.

Canada Revenue Agency  Mr. Speaker, if I am always repeating myself, it is because my colleague opposite does not seem to be able to understand the correct answers. The Canada Revenue Agency was allocated an unprecedented budget of $444 million to work on combatting tax evasion and tax avoidance. That is what we promised Canadians and that is what we are going to do this year.

Canada Revenue Agency  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to repeat, for my colleague's benefit, that the event was organized by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, a professional association. Most of the CRA employees who work in accounting and auditing belong to that association.

Canada Revenue Agency  Mr. Speaker, the CRA has worked with Canada before. The CRA will continue to work with all stakeholders, including CPA Canada. The CRA meets with its partners to promote its activities and interests and compliance with tax law. The public servants who were in charge of the KPMG file and made recommendations on it did not attend the receptions hosted by CPA Canada in 2014 and 2015.

Canada Revenue Agency  Mr. Speaker, I want to remind Canadians that our government is a government of transparency and openness. As far as my colleague's allegations are concerned, I will be very clear. The event was organized by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, a professional association.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the situation described by my colleague from Saint Boniface is unfair and unacceptable. Indeed, this must change. On Monday, I announced historic investments of $444.4 million. As I intend to explain to the finance committee, these tools will help improve detection, investigations, and audits and will also make it possible to prosecute those who engage in tax evasion and organizations that create such schemes.