Finance Committee on Nov. 23rd, 2017

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB]

Your department had reported that 90% of calls were being answered and the Auditor General found that 64% were being hung up on. Is that what your staff were telling you—that all calls were getting through—or did they agree with the Auditor General that you were unable to answer phone calls?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

I will let the commissioner answer your question.

[Bob Hamilton]

Yes, I will respond to that.

We were aware before the Auditor General's report of some of the issues with the phone system. We were running on an old technology and already had in place plans to get a new technology that would be delivered next year and would allow us to provide the same kind of service you'd be used to with more up-to-date technology. That's point one.

The other point, which is one the Auditor General raised, is how we report on our service. What we had done in the past was say that if you get through into our lines, we will answer your call within two minutes 80% percent of the time. That means if you get through.

The way we were able to deliver on that commitment was that we couldn't let everybody through the line, so some people would get busy signals. They would have to call back. That was what we could do with the technology we had.

Yes, we agree that there are a number of people who get busy signals and have to call back. We're now trying to invest a bit more money, until we get the new technology, to improve that service to ensure a good balance between how long you have to wait on the line and how quickly you can get through.

The issues raised by the Auditor General weren't new, and we agreed with his recommendations. We have an action plan to deliver those. It's beginning right now, but it will really kick in next year when we get the new platform for the telephone calls.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

We are two minutes over our time.

Go ahead, Mr. Dusseault.

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Madam Minister.

This is perhaps the only opportunity I will have to ask you questions about the situation involving Mr. Bronfman. The Liberals refused to support my motion to conduct a study into the situation. So I hope I will get some answers.

First, can you comment on the situation involving Mr. Bronfman?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

What I can tell you today is that, in my opinion, it is important to let the agency do its job. The Canada Revenue Agency takes all the information about the Paradise Papers seriously.

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

I understand, but can you comment on the specific case involving Mr. Bronfman or not?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

No, I cannot. The law prevents me from commenting on any specific case.

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

What—

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

The Canada Revenue Agency receives 30 million tax returns per year, from individuals or companies, and I cannot comment on any of them.

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

That's fine; you have answered my question. You are not able to answer it, the law prevents you from doing so.

What would be the consequences if you did talk about a specific case involving one taxpayer?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

I could go to jail.

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

Okay.

Do you know that the Prime Minister talked about a specific case involving one taxpayer?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

I am the minister responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency. No one is above the law.

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

Not even the Prime Minister.

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

The Canada Revenue Agency will do the job it has to do. I can assure you that, as long as I am in this position, it will be done exactly in that way, meaning that we will not discuss any specific case.

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

Have you launched an investigation into the statement made by the Prime Minister, who could have broken the law?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

I am the Minister responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency.

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

Yes, you are.

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

I work with the officials of the Canada Revenue Agency. What our government has done in the last two years is invest almost $1 billion specifically to combat tax evasion and tax avoidance.

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

As Minister of National Revenue, are you responsible for enforcing the law that requires all taxpayers' files to remain confidential?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

All taxpayers' files are confidential and will remain confidential. I can assure you that no, repeat no, parliamentarian will have access to the Canada Revenue Agency's files.

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

Okay. You are talking about the Prime Minister, are you not?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

Pardon?

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

You are talking about the Prime Minister when you say “no parliamentarian”, are you not?