Ethics  Mr. Speaker, I would like to reassure the House. All Canadian taxpayers are treated fairly. Regardless of income, our $440-million announcement in the latest budget is proof of that. I would like to be clear about KPMG. The fact is that the Canada Revenue Agency exposed the scheme.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, today I made an unprecedented announcement about combatting tax evasion and international tax avoidance. The vast majority of middle-class Canadians pay their fair share of taxes, but some wealthy Canadians are hiding their money in foreign tax havens to avoid paying taxes.

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, Canadians have a right to be outraged. Our government recognizes that international tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance are critical issues. We are taking meaningful action. The government has allocated more than $444 million to the CRA, to combat tax evasion and tax havens.

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, there have long been post-employment restrictions at the Canada Revenue Agency for executives who leave the organization. In March 2014, the post-employment restrictions were extended to all employees who leave the Canada Revenue Agency. It would be inappropriate to comment on a specific case for reasons of privacy.

Canada Revenue Agency  Mr. Speaker, our government takes privacy very seriously. We will continue to work with the United States to ensure that all security safeguards are being followed. We remind members that our countries have a long tradition of responsible fiscal co-operation dating back to 1942.

Canada Revenue Agency  Mr. Speaker, there is only one set of rules, as I said. The CRA exposed the scheme. It audited taxpayers and has taken legal action. The CRA's work is not done. I encourage all of my colleagues to be prudent and avoid jumping to conclusions.

Canada Revenue Agency  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to repeat the answer I gave earlier, which my colleague did not understand. There is no amnesty and there is only one set of rules. The CRA exposed the scheme and has been conducting taxpayer audits. The CRA has taken legal action. This matter is still under investigation and has not yet been resolved.

Canada Revenue Agency  Mr. Speaker, the CRA is actively pursuing its work on this matter, which is still under investigation and has not yet been resolved. I would like to be clear: there is no amnesty and there is only one set of rules. What is the reality? The CRA exposed the scheme and has been conducting taxpayer audits.

Canada Revenue Agency  Mr. Speaker, the CRA is taking action in every possible case where tax rules were broken, regardless of the income of the people involved. Last year, the CRA was able to recover $11.5 billion. Our government is committed to protecting the integrity of the Canadian tax system. We will fight aggressively against tax evasion and tax avoidance.

Canada Revenue Agency  Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, I was pleased to announce improvements to Canada Revenue Agency correspondence to make tax information simpler and easier to understand. The content has been streamlined to include only the information most important to the taxpayer. We will continue to consult with Canadians and draw on best practices to make sure our service improvements truly meet Canadians' needs.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for this important question. I am pleased to announce that yesterday I signed a joint declaration with Switzerland expressing the intent of the two countries to engage in the automatic exchange of financial account information. The information received will improve Canada's ability to detect and address cases of tax evasion, ensure tax compliance, and protect the integrity of Canada's tax system.

Canada Revenue Agency  Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes the essential role of charities in society and their contribution to politics and public debate. The independence of the Canada Revenue Agency in its watchdog role is a fundamental principle that must be protected. That is why, as Minister of National Revenue, I will not play a role in selecting the audits to be done or making decisions about the results of those audits.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the voters of Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, who have placed their trust in me to represent them. I thank my colleague from Northwest Territories for the question. During the election we campaigned on increasing the deduction for northern residents.