Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am going to split my time with Mr. Cullen.
I'd like to discuss an article that came out yesterday in La Presse about the tax debt, in other words, unpaid taxes. You probably read it.
Last year, the tax debt was $31 billion, and $29 billion the year before. That represents a $2-billion increase. A CRA spokesperson attributed the increase to the harmononization of the GST and population growth. But the amount owing in 2005-06 was $18.5 billion, which means the tax debt has gone up nearly 80% over 8 or 9 years.
Are the harmonization of the GST and population growth really the only reasons for the increase? Hasn't a staffing shortage made it difficult to stay on top of recovering unpaid taxes before the 10-year limit expires, after which point the money can no longer be collected?