Mr. Speaker, it is my sense that Canadians more and more understand that participating in the underground economy is not a victimless crime. When a Canadian decides not to pay taxes, another one has to pick up the slack.
In Revenue Canada we take this very seriously. Our seven point program targeting the underground economy has returned over a billion dollars to the Canadian coffers.
More recently, in partnership with the construction industry, we have implemented a voluntary reporting system that will provide Revenue Canada with the information it needs to limit even further the underground activity in that important sector.
If I may, I would like to recognize the Canadian Construction Association, the Canadian Home Builders' Association and the Canadian Construction Union for their participation in this program and say that together we will ensure there is a level playing field for this important sector of the Canadian economy.