Mr. Speaker, I am sure that earlier sign was a victory sign because I heard a lot of winning arguments by the member for Mississauga West.
We are looking at the demands of Canadians for better, more responsive and streamlined tax, customs and trade administration services. It is one of the most important reasons for Revenue Canada's move to a departmental agency status. It is a sign of the times, the times of economic expansion, the times of increased demand for tax, customs and trade services, and the times of a marked increase in new jobs since 1993 which has resulted in a marked increase in tax filers. Canada's exports are at an all time high.
In 1997 alone, actual total exports increased 8.6%. The upturn in the domestic economy stimulates imports. This will not be a fleeting trend; the volume of activities will continue to increase.
The commitment to improve client service will not change. Over the years resources at Revenue Canada have remained relatively stable during this period of economic expansion and sharp increases in business volumes.
Revenue Canada has done its very best to accommodate the new demand. As a government department Revenue Canada has to submit to across the board federal government rules and guidelines which apply to some 80 other government departments and agencies, many entirely dissimilar from the work done by Revenue Canada. These government-wide rules often fail to meet the specific needs of the unique functions the department undertakes.
Revenue Canada has exhausted its internal operating efficiencies. There are few gains that can be made through this approach. That work has been done. There is new work to be undertaken. We must forge ahead and create a new structure, a new framework that will provide opportunities and generate new efficiencies.
It is time for the proposed new Canada customs and revenue agency. It is time for this unique, Canadian model that combines the strengths of both the public and private sectors, while remaining fully accountable to parliament and the Canadian public—while remaining, proudly, in the federal public service.
In developing the Canada customs and revenue agency, Revenue Canada has been sensitive to the fact that tax, customs, and trade administration affects the lives and livelihoods of Canadians.
Revenue Canada's clients insist on better services while at the same time they must be dealt with fairly with their rights fully protected. The design of the new agency makes certain the essential checks and balances which govern its activities are in place and ensures that the accountability as presently stipulated under Revenue Canada has been maintained.
The enforcement powers of the new agency will be the same as those currently provided to Revenue Canada through such legislation as the Income Tax Act, the Customs Act and the Excise Act.
The minister will still be fully accountable to parliament and the public for the administration and enforcement of specific legislation. Revenue administration is not being devolved to anyone.
The minister will still have the authority to answer questions in this House. The minister will ensure that the agency is providing appropriate services to Canadians.
I can assure members that a taxpayer's personal information will remain confidential. It will continue to be protected under the agency just as it is currently with Revenue Canada. The authorities governing its confidentiality are clearly set out in program legislation such as the Income Tax Act and they will not, I repeat, not be changed by this bill.
Bill C-43 will permit the agency to offer new and better services to the provinces and territories. Some have said that this bill is all about harmonization. To the contrary, Mr. Speaker. Revenue Canada can already administer harmonized taxes.
What is new is that the proposed Canada customs and revenue agency will also be able to collect non-harmonized taxes for the provinces, something Revenue Canada is unable to do now.
The new agency will be able to expand the potential for single window tax collection with considerable savings for businesses and individual Canadians. Is that not what alternative service delivery is all about?
It is about greater co-ordination between the federal, provincial and territorial governments. A simplified tax administration for Canadians will reduce costly overlap and duplication between governments.
The move to agency status will also permit the adoption of a more client oriented approach. This will increase operational flexibility in the management of internal resources.
As Mr. Blair Nixon pointed out when he appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance on November 24 on behalf of both the Canadian Bar Association and the Canadian Tax Foundation:
The move to the agency should provide more flexibility to deal with personnel issues, a fundamental aspect, we think, of the organization. That flexibility should provide a better position to the agency to hire, train and retain good personnel. The agency needs to bolster its ranks with good people in order to provide better service to taxpayers, which we understand is one of the fundamental thrusts of the agency.
The bill before the House today will allow the proposed agency to tailor its human resources and administrative functions to meet the needs of its clients—as well as those of its employees. This will mean better service—to provinces and territories, to businesses, and to Canadian taxpayers.
Doing something better is not an expansion of power but an extension of service, service to Canadians, service to businesses, and service to the provinces and territories. Better service means savings in time and money, savings in compliance costs for businesses and savings in administrative costs for governments.
The intent of Bill C-43 is to establish a framework with all the checks and balances for a superior agency, a winning proposal for government and Canadians alike.
I encourage all members in this House to support this important piece of legislation.