Mr. Speaker, it is time to review the power of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency when it comes to imposing its heavy hand on Canadian taxpayers.
CCRA has the power to freeze bank accounts, the power to take funds from Canadians and the power reassess accounts and impose its decisions. No bank, no business and, in fact, no creditor has the power of the CCRA which can determine that Canadians are guilty until proven innocent. CCRA can reassess the account of any Canadian, then apply extremely harsh measures. The onus is then put on the Canadian taxpayers to prove their innocence, no matter what it costs in accounting and legal fees.
The CCRA concept of guilty until proven innocent begs these questions. Will the minister bring in legislation assuring that no penalties will be applied to a Canadian taxpayer until a third party has heard both sides of the story? Will the minister bring in regulations requiring that Canadian taxpayers be compensated for costs incurred defending the charges by CCRA if, in the end, the charges are proven incorrect?