Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, I'm joined by Commissioner of Revenue Bob Hamilton and assistant commissioners.
We are pleased to have the opportunity to discuss tax fraud schemes, the debt writeoff process and the Canada Revenue Agency's service delivery.
Protecting the integrity and fairness of Canada's tax system is a top priority for the Government of Canada and the agency. The agency is committed to combatting tax evasion and tax avoidance both domestically and internationally.
Historic investments by the Government of Canada enabled the agency to expand the scope of its audits, improve its comprehensive data sources and enhance its analytical approaches. It has been able to hire specialized resources. In addition, this funding has enabled the agency to leverage strategic alliances with its domestic and international partners.
The agency is therefore in a much better position to detect and deter the most serious cases of non-compliance, including abusive schemes in Canada's goods and services tax and harmonized sales tax systems, such as carousel schemes. This deliberate focus on willful non-compliance enables the agency to support its mandate to make sure the tax system is fair for all.
The same is true for the agency's collection program, which, through innovation and the use of analytics and technology, also ensures a high level of results.
With respect to debt writeoffs, it is absolutely important to note that the vast majority of accounts receivable are indeed collected over time. In addition, a writeoff occurs when all of the agency's collection measures have been exhausted. I can assure you that the agency's collection program is very rigorous before it gets to that stage.
That said, in the vast majority of cases, the debt remains in the taxpayer's account. As soon as the taxpayer's financial situation improves, active collection measures are then relaunched with the same rigour.
Finally, I would like to point out that, in Canada—as abroad—all government institutions are currently under significant pressure in terms of services to the public. In fact, it is mainly the agency's contact centres that are experiencing significant pressure. In recent years, the agency has faced a record number of calls, largely due to the increase in the number of benefits and credits implemented to support the Canadian population during and since the COVID‑19 pandemic.
This increase also includes services for people who are new to Canada. These people need a higher level of support to understand their new tax obligations and learn how to access benefits and credits, such as the goods and services tax credit, the Canada carbon rebate and, obviously, the Canada child benefit.
That said, the agency can improve its service delivery. Concrete solutions are already on the table, starting with the increased implementation of self-service options that are expected to help relieve the pressure on contact centres.
I will conclude by reminding you that the Canada Revenue Agency is a world-class tax and benefits administration. Its vision is to be helpful, fair and trustworthy, in keeping with its service philosophy that puts people first. Furthermore, in the spirit of tax justice, which is a Canadian value, it is rigorously committed to ensuring that everyone, without exception, pays what they owe to the government's coffers.
Mr. Chair, thank you.
