Finance committee  I would simply like to raise another issue. Care must be taken to ensure that if paragraph (c) were amended to change the tax rate, if the tax rate were ever increased, that there be paragraph (f) which ensures that the amendment would apply retroactively from 2002. We have to ensure that none of the self-employed workers experience problems, because this measure would have an impact on a lot of people.

Finance committee  Recently, I had a discussion with the CRA auditor, because I had losses in 2008 which I carried over to the year 2005. At some point in the discussion, I told this lady that it was very difficult to fight the government bureaucracy. She told me that their goal was to find new evidence against the self-employed group to establish a standard case and pursue assessments.

Finance committee  That is correct.

Finance committee  I cannot speak for other specialties, because everyone knows that there is undeclared work happening everywhere. However, in our field, IT, it is impossible, especially because we work with large companies, because we work on large computer systems. Earlier on, I was referring to equipment.

Finance committee  I want to comment. At present, we know that interpretation bulletins regarding the act have been drafted. The interpretation bulletins contain a host of criteria. Currently, the biggest problem with the act is the rule about "five employees" which is still in place and which puts self-employed workers at a disadvantage.

Finance committee  Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman. Good afternoon, members of the committee. My name is Fernand Garceau. I have been an independent IT worker since 1994, and I have worked in this business since 1980. The name of my company is Techno-Dba inc, and it is federally registered. I take care of my own future by choosing my own life and disability insurances.