Irene Mathyssen on Community Volunteer Income Tax Program

In the House of Commons on April 9th, 2008. See this statement in context.

Community Volunteer Income Tax ProgramOral Questions

April 9th, 2008 / 3 p.m.

NDP

Irene Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON

Mr. Speaker, federal government agencies, like the Canada Revenue Agency, are reducing services in our communities.

In the past, CRA has arranged for volunteers to help low income constituents with income tax returns. These clinics were in places like community centres and libraries. In the past two years, I have hosted CRA clinics in my constituency office. This year, we helped more than 100 people, many of them seniors.

Volunteers have now been told that CRA no longer can facilitate these clinics. Volunteers are on their own. Why is CRA undermining this service?

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