Gail Shea

[Questions on the Order Paper, April 15th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, insofar as the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is concerned, with regard to the Community Development Fund, CDF, and the Grand Bank Development Corporation, GBDC, with regard to (a), during the 1990-91 fiscal year, the Government of Canada allocated $6 million in funding as a lump sum through Employment and Immigration Canada, to be administered by the Burin Peninsula Community Business Development Corporation, CBDC, to establish a community development fund for the Town of Grand Bank. As part of the funding agreement, the CBDC worked with a subcommittee, which later became incorporated as the Grand Bank Development Corporation, GBDC.

With regard to (b), there is no GBDC fund. Rather, the CBDC administers the CDF. The CBDC and the GBDC are parties to a memorandum of understanding that outlines the roles and responsibilities of each organization and assists the CBDC in fulfilling the terms and conditions of the funding agreement of the CDF.

With regard to (c), there is no GBDC fund. In 1995-96, the amounts disbursed for the CDF were exhausted; the agency is not disclosing the amount available from the return on investment, as such information could be exempted should it be requested under the Access to Information Act.

With regard to (d), the annual operational cost of the GBDC could also be exempted should it be requested under the Access to Information Act.

With regard to (e), the GBDC is currently a party to two contribution agreements with the agency, both of which are in good standing.

With regard to (f), there are no plans to change the GBDC’s status; with regard to (f)(ii), the agency has no information available.

With regard to (g), it is the responsibility of the CBDC to determine how it will fulfill the terms and conditions of the funding agreement related to the CDF.

With regard to (h), the agency has no information available. With regard to (i), the Agency has no information available.

[Canada Revenue Agency, April 15th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, our government has long recognized that this is a serious issue. Since 2006, the number of audit positions in the CRA's international audit program has increased by almost 40% and nearly doubled in the CRA's aggressive tax planning program. This increase, along with the new measures announced in the economic action plan 2013, will give CRA an unprecedented ability to combat tax cheats and improve the integrity of Canada's tax system.

[Canada Revenue Agency, April 15th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, we believe that anyone with information related to aggressive tax planning has an obligation to provide that information to the CRA for review.

If the NDP is really serious about this issue, then we look forward to its support for the 2013 economic action plan. That is where CRA will get the tools it needs to fight tax evasion.

[Canada Revenue Agency, April 15th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, we have long recognized this issue and we have consistently taken measures to address it.

Since we came to government, we have increased the size of the international audit program by roughly 40%, and we have identified over $4.5 billion in unpaid taxes. Closing tax loopholes and keeping the tax system fair keeps our tax rates low.

Not only does the NDP vote against all of our attempts to close tax loopholes, but it proposes to increase taxes on Canadians by $56 billion.

[Canada Revenue Agency, April 15th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, that is not true. We are not cutting the enforcement branch whatsoever. We are keeping tax rates low by closing tax loopholes and making the tax system fairer for Canadians. We have introduced over 75 measures to improve the integrity of our tax system. Shamefully, the NDP has voted against every single attempt by our government to close tax loopholes since 2006.

[Elections Canada, March 28th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the independent investigation by the Public Service Commission did not find any evidence of any wrongdoing or influence on the part of the minister or his political staff in this matter. ACOA has taken action on the recommendations of the Public Service Commission on this issue.

[Government Appointments, March 28th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the independent investigation by the Public Service Commission did not find any evidence of wrongdoing or influence on the part of the minister or his political staff in the matter. ACOA has taken action on the recommendations of the Public Service Commission on this issue.

[Canada Revenue Agency, March 27th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to ensuring value for Canadian taxpayers' money, and not one audit position will be eliminated. As a matter of fact, we will add to those positions. That is why, since 2007-08, we have reduced spending on overhead activities, such as travel and office supplies, hospitality and consultants.

Budget 2013 savings apply only to our internal operations, such as administrative costs. That is why we do expect the opposition to support our budget, because it is good value for taxpayers.

[Canada Revenue Agency, March 27th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, we are keeping tax rates low by closing tax loopholes and making the system fairer for Canadians. We will launch the stop international tax evasion program to improve identification of tax evasion to protect honest Canadians. Since 2006, our government has introduced more than 75 measures to improve the integrity of our tax system.

If opposition members are serious about cracking down on tax evasion, then they will support our budget.

[Ethics, March 26th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, we are keeping tax rates low for Canadians by closing tax loopholes and making the system fairer. We are going to launch the stop the international tax evasion program to improve identification of tax evasion and to protect Canadians.

Since 2006, our government has introduced over 75 measures to improve the integrity of the tax system. If the opposition is serious about cracking down on tax evasion, then it will support the budget and give the CRA the tools it needs.