Finance Committee on May 5th, 2020

[Mike McNaney]

I fully understand the difficulty that everyone is experiencing as a result of the pandemic and what it's been doing to flights. The use of the vouchers is driven by the pandemic. We would not be following this approach if it were not for the economic chaos it has created.

The Canadian Transportation Agency did issue guidance that, given the extraordinary circumstances, the use of vouchers was deemed acceptable. Our members are continuing to follow that guidance. You are also seeing other countries now, particularly in the EU, also starting to take the same approach. Given where we currently sit right now in this crisis, and given where we currently sit overall in terms of the economy and the industry, for us right now, I'm afraid the only real approach is to continue to use the vouchers in keeping with the CTA's guidance.

[Marty Morantz, Conservative, Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, MB]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Thank you for that answer.

We have Francesco Sorbara to wrap it up.

Go ahead.

[Francesco Sorbara, Liberal, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

There were a number of great presentations today, so thank you to everyone.

I have a quick question for Peter.

Peter, you and I were downtown in Toronto a few weeks ago for the start of tax filing season. We know how important it is for Canadians to file taxes, so they can get the benefits and credits that they deserve and have worked hard for.

One of the big things we did at the Canada Revenue Agency was the electronic signature. Just how beneficial is that for both the individuals and groups like yourselves at H&R Block, and for tax filers, since we are in this very unique and extraordinary period of time?

[Peter Davis]

Thank you, Francesco. It's good to hear from you. That's an excellent question.

The electronic signature piece has been a game-changer for the industry. It's given us the ability to take the work a tax preparer does and have it all done potentially virtually. Whereas before by legislation, individuals had to come back to their preparer to provide what's called a wet signature on a paper form. It has certainly made things a lot easier in our world and a lot easier for Canadians, especially in the context of social distancing and staying at home.

We hope this temporary measure that's been put in place for this tax season will be extended indefinitely, as it really has provided us with a further reach in assisting Canadians to file.

[Francesco Sorbara, Liberal, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Thank you, Peter.

[The Chair, Liberal, Wayne Easter]

Thank you, both, for that.

I want to thank all the witnesses for their presentations.

Andrea, I was wondering how you managed to keep Kelly so quiet all this time. She used to be across the hall from me in one of the parliamentary buildings. She wasn't always that quiet.

Anyway, I sincerely want to thank everyone for their responses to our questions today and for appearing on this platform, which is somewhat difficult at times. The advice, the answers drawn out by members of all parties across many platforms, is being listened to. I think you can see changes in government policy as the programs continue to roll out and be improved. This is an important part of the process for members of Parliament from all parties and for the government to act upon.

I want to give one other special thank you and that is to the interpreters. I understand so many committee meetings are this way now. We're meeting with two four-hour sessions a week. It is difficult when people don't use headsets. I know they're finding that fairly stressful in the interpretation booths. I want to give a special thank you to those folks and to the technology end that helps organize this as well.

With that, committee members, we will meet again on Thursday.

Thank you to all.

The meeting is adjourned.