Mr. Speaker, one of the things that I am particularly proud of as Minister of National Revenue is that CCRA treats all taxpayers with respect and we expect everyone to obey our laws.
We have one of the best compliance rates in the world. We know that over 95% of all Canadians and businesses comply with Canadian tax law. We also know that in the international environment, and Canada is an international trader, the most important thing for those companies is a rules based approach, rules that they can count on and rules that have been negotiated with other countries, so we can be sure our businesses can be compete and be successful. That is in Canada's interest. It creates prosperity and wealth for Canada.
These treaties are negotiated. We have over 70 of them. They are based on an OECD model. It gives us the information and partnership to go after those who would avoid paying their fair share. We have experts at CCRA with tremendous expertise in understanding the international tax environment of members of international organizations. They are always up to date with the latest information to ensure that CCRA, Revenue Canada as it used to be called, has the information and the tools that it needs to go after those business, those people who would not pay their fair share in Canada.
For anyone to suggest that these tax treaties are not in Canada's interest is making a very false claim. Those tax treaties, which avoid double taxation and set out very clear rules for all of those Canadian companies that are trading in the international arena, give them confidence and let them know what they can expect. The treaties tell them that they will be treated fairly. If they improperly or unduly attempt to avoid our taxes, we go after them and we go after them with the help of our treaty partner that provides us with important information so we can do that.
No system is perfect and that is why we continually review and update through our experience those treaties which may need modification over time. We have made many changes in the past and I am sure there will be many changes in the future. However we will continue to negotiate those treaties through the Department of Finance and see that they are properly and fully implemented through CCRA and the experts who work in my agency.
It is our goal to see that Canada has the resources available to meet its social and economic needs and to ensure that all Canadians, Canadian individuals and businesses, pay their fair share so they can help this country to continue to grow and prosper.