House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2000, with 56% of the vote.
Taxation May 10th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, the auditor general himself pointed out how difficult and complex this tax legislation is.
We feel that the appropriate strategy is to have that tax legislation reviewed in an open forum at the finance committee where members of Parliament from all parties have an opportunity to state their case, review it and make recommendations. We look forward to those recommendations.
Taxation May 10th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate having yet another opportunity to remind the House that we are a government of action. Let us look at what really happened.
On Tuesday the auditor general brought to our attention that he had concerns about particular legislation with regard to the Income Tax Act. He wanted it clarified and we said that we wanted it clarified so on Tuesday we asked the finance committee to put it on its agenda to review it. He said he had some concerns about lacking documentation. That same day I directed my department to improve the standards for documentation. He noted that he was glad that from now on we will be tabling our rulings for all Canadians to see.
I do not know what more the hon. member wants. This government has acted directly and expeditiously.
Taxation May 9th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, let us remember again that the decision we are speaking about was a decision back in 1985 and 1991, a time when neither the hon. member opposite nor I was here. It was some time ago.
The auditor general drew it to our attention in his most recent report and we have acted expeditiously. The Minister of Finance has directed the finance committee to look at those aspects of the Income Tax Act and report back as to the integrity of those portions of the act.
For our side, we knew that the auditor general's report would go to the public accounts committee. I encouraged its members to pose some questions.
Taxation May 9th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I will just reiterate our commitment to ensure fairness and equity in the tax system.
I will add another point now that I have time. I am very proud of the people in my department who are working not only here at home but with their counterparts around the world to ensure that we move toward international standards and the exchange of information in different banks.
This is very important. We take this file extremely seriously. I commend the Minister of Finance for all that he has done in the last two years, and that is just the beginning.
Taxation May 9th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, in a very calm way I will remind the House what we are doing on this very important file.
The Minister of Finance has changed the law with regard to family trusts. We have passed legislation which demands that not only corporations but individual trusts and partnerships have to record and report their offshore earnings and offshore assets.
We have very, very capable auditors on this file who have returned to the government coffers over $500 million in revenues in the last year. And I thank the Minister of Finance for another $50 million so that we can augment our work in that regard.
We are dealing with other countries to develop tax treaties so that we can exchange information on this very important file.
Taxation May 7th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, this occurred in 1991. I want the hon. member to understand that we have taken the matter extremely seriously.
Let us be clear. The auditor general has said that he has some concerns about potential ambiguities in the Income Tax Act. He wants them to be clarified. So do we.
We have asked that the finance committee review these particular aspects of the Income Tax Act and report back to us. We will look forward to its recommendations.
Taxation May 7th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, as the new Minister of National Revenue I can say that I welcome my first advice from the auditor general.
The case in point refers to two tax rulings in 1985 and 1991 reviewed by the auditor general which predate our government. He raised some very important issues. I sat down with the auditor general. I went through his report line by line to be sure that I was clear what his concerns were and to ask him for his views on appropriate action.
I am glad to say he was clear and identified three areas of concern. His ideas for action were consistent with my own and along with the Minister of Finance we have been able to implement that action as we speak.
Taxation April 25th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Huron-Bruce raised two very important points.
First, he recognizes that the government has just tabled a ways and means bill that presents to the Canadian public 100 proposals for improvements to the GST. That speaks directly to the concerns of the Canadian public.
Second, he asked specifically about the notional import tax credit, which is the way the tax has been collected on used cars. It has been so complex, so confusing, so frustrating for the Canadian public that we have changed it. From now on when a Canadian buys a new car and has a trade-in, GST will be paid on the difference only. That makes sense. It speaks directly to the
concerns of Canadians. It is proof that the government is committed to replacing the GST with a tax that is fairer to consumers.
Disability Tax Credit March 26th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thanking the hon. member for Hamilton Mountain for her diligence on this file.
As a result of her representations and representations from other members in the House and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind a problem has been identified with the eligibility certificate used with the disability tax credit, particularly as it relates to Canadians who are blind or visually impaired.
Some of these people were rejected under the credit when, in fact, they are eligible. This will be fixed. The department will work with the CNIB to review the files that were rejected as a result of the problem with the form and that the form will be fixed.
Finally, the department will administer the disability tax credit with fairness and compassion, and where there are administrative improvements that need to be made, we will make them.
Appeal Centres March 25th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, as a result of comprehensive reviews the department has been looking at its services and operations. As a result of technology and changes we have been able to consolidate offices in different parts of the country.
We will definitely consider all aspects of the consolidation moves and they will be done in a fair and equitable manner.