Evidence of meeting #57 for Finance in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was kpmg.
A video is available from Parliament.
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
I'm just wondering if number three should be clarified a little bit as well.
Go ahead, Ed. I hear you, but I don't see you.
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
I agree that it should be clarified. In fact, the English version, the translation is, I think, to put it mildly, somewhat awkwardly worded.
Could I ask that it be translated again for those who understand only English? I think there are elements of the motion that say something a bit differently from what it says in English.
Mr. Clerk, are you able to arrange for it to be properly translated into English?
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
I'm not sure. Here's what it reads in English, Gabriel, and if you look at this on its own without the rest: “please provide for each KPMG Canada client the conclusions of each file with CRA, including taxes reimbursed, incurred interest, and penalties for each taxpayer”.
If you just pulled that out on its own, you'd think you were looking at the whole clientele of KPMG.
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
Yes, and some of the other sections of the resolution are a little problematic as well. A proper translation would be very helpful to all of us.
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
I think we all agree to the intent, and maybe we just need to clean up the language.
Maybe, Mr. Clerk, we can run this by the experts in translation and see what they can do without having to come back to committee with it.
Go ahead, Peter Julian.
4:15 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
I just want to add one quick point. I noticed in a quick reading that I forgot to ensure that Parrhesia was added to the motion.
The addition of the name Parrhesia to point 4 of Mr. Ste-Marie's motion, which refers to all these corporations, should be a positive amendment.
In addition, I fully support a revision of the English version of the motion, as Mr. Fast suggested.
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
We authorized me and maybe the clerk to clean that up. Are we in agreement with Parrhesia going in there as well? Are there any problems? None? Okay.
Then we will do that and get that out this week.
How are we doing with our witness, Mr. Clerk?
4:15 p.m.
The Clerk
We're with his technician on the phone. We're still having issues.
I don't have any updates, aside from the fact that our technicians and his technician are working together.
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
4:15 p.m.
The Clerk
He's in Montreal.
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
Annie Koutrakis Liberal Vimy, QC
We're celebrating the Habs win. What can I say? Come on, so we're a little hung over, you know.
4:15 p.m.
The Clerk
If I may, we agreed to add Parrhesia in point three. Is that right?
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
We agreed to add Parrhesia in point four, and we need to clean up point three so that it is clear we were looking at these clients involved that are outlined in point one, I believe.
4:15 p.m.
Bloc
Gabriel Ste-Marie Bloc Joliette, QC
That is correct. In addition, the English version needs to be linguistically revised if I understood Mr. Fast's point correctly.
Thank you.
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
Yes.
Should we suspend for 10 minutes and come back and see where we're at?
4:15 p.m.
Bloc
Gabriel Ste-Marie Bloc Joliette, QC
Otherwise, I am ready to make my statement regarding the letters you have read.
4:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
Okay, go ahead.
This way we'll be able to call you a filler in terms of the meeting, Gabriel.
Go ahead.
4:20 p.m.
Bloc
Gabriel Ste-Marie Bloc Joliette, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I will have some important questions for the witness. I hope that he will be able to connect and that this is not just a ploy.
I would like to make the following statement.
As we all know, the issue of using tax havens to hide money or evade taxes is of great concern. The people and firms that use them act with little regard for their duties and obligations to society. Their attitude also seems to show little regard for the Canada Revenue Agency, the government and Parliament. It is high time that this changed.
The committee spent several hours on this issue, and in particular on the KPMG strategies and the theft of the savings of thousands of small savers in the Weinberg, Norshield and Mount Real scandal.