Evidence of meeting #35 for International Trade in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was agreements.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
Bradley Trost Conservative Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK
I understand it's probably the top tax haven in the world.
To the gentleman from Revenue Canada, you talked about the exchange of letters of the Minister of Finance to Panama. Are there any other basic steps that should be taken after this treaty is in place that would help you to do your job vis-à-vis Panama and tax havens?
5:15 p.m.
Assistant Commissioner, Legislative Policy and Regulatory Affairs Branch, Canada Revenue Agency
When you say the treaty, are you talking about the free trade agreement or--
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
5:15 p.m.
Assistant Commissioner, Legislative Policy and Regulatory Affairs Branch, Canada Revenue Agency
Okay.
Arguably, as you know, Canada is very active internationally with the global forum and the OECD. Frankly, those efforts have placed a lot of positive pressure on a number of so-called tax havens around the world, including Panama. There has been significant movement in the last two years, I think, but there have been over 500 exchange of information agreements signed. Arguably, we would continue to work very aggressively internationally, and Finance would continue to pursue the interest of a tax exchange of information agreement with Panama. Those are certainly the two current courses of action that are being pursued and are demonstrating results with other jurisdictions.
5:20 p.m.
Conservative
Bradley Trost Conservative Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I've completed my questions.
5:20 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Lee Richardson
Good. Thank you. We are running a little tight on time, so I thank members for keeping the questions short and the answers brief.
For the record, Mr. Tucker, you mentioned you're an American. I'm not familiar with the organization. In a nutshell, can you tell me who that is, where you're from, and what that's all about?
5:20 p.m.
Research Director, Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch
Sure.
We're a consumer advocacy organization, a membership organization that's based in Washington, D.C. We've conducted analysis of the U.S. Panama FTA, which is virtually identical to the Canada Panama package.
5:20 p.m.
Research Director, Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch
We have about a quarter of a million members, and we're funded primarily through donations of five to ten bucks that come from these members.
5:20 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Lee Richardson
That's interesting.
How did you find out about this committee?
5:20 p.m.
Research Director, Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch
I was contacted by this committee.
5:20 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Lee Richardson
All right. I'll leave it at that.
Thank you very much, all of you, for your appearance today.
I'll now suspend for two minutes while we go in camera. We have to clear the room, except for members to have a quick ten-minute discussion on Europe.
Thank you again for your attendance.
[Proceedings continue in camera]