Thank you, Madam Chair.
The goods and services tax, or GST, rebate for the purchase of a first home provided in Bill C‑4 operates as a payment from the consolidated revenue fund. Legislatively, it is not forgone tax revenue that would otherwise be payable. Therefore, any increase in the number of applicants eligible for repayment as of the new date proposed by the amendment would result in additional payments from the consolidated revenue fund. Furthermore, the Canada Revenue Agency has consistently maintained that no rebates could be processed before Bill C‑4 receives royal assent, as these are payments to be made from the consolidated revenue fund.