The report left no question that there are inconsistencies. It didn't say that there “may be” inconsistencies; it said that there are inconsistencies. This isn't a matter of speculation, according to the report, and the report is quite clear that it's in the case of individuals, as opposed to other types of filers.
I don't think anybody disagrees that for a corporate entity or an individual or anyone with complicated affairs it may take more time to conduct and to conclude an audit, but when you ask for a document.... I'm sorry, but I do not find it acceptable that just because it is international, you would be given a longer period of time to comply. My answer would be that if you cannot comply with the law in the same way as an individual Canadian, then your problem lies in your strategy of tax filing or tax management, not in something that the CRA ought to roll over and accept as a reason. It's unfair to other Canadians; when they get a letter from the CRA that tells them they must drop everything and produce something for you, they do so.
Getting on to the inconsistencies that we find, this goes to the types of questions that I'm sure all members hear in their constituency offices when they take calls from taxpayers. In some parts of the country, it's taking up to 40 weeks, while in other areas it would take 12.
I want to focus on small business filers. I have heard complaints from taxpayers and from tax preparers about the length of time. I appreciate your saying that there's a reduction now in the time period for objections, but what about simple corrections for small business filers? I've heard from tax preparers that it's up to 18 months now in some instances, just for a keystroke error type of change.
Can you comment on corrections and what the timelines are on that? Do we have regional discrepancies in corrections?