For Immediate Release
OTTAWA – Liberal Small Business critic Joyce Murray made the following statement today on the Conservative government’s cuts to services for business:
“As Conservative ministers fan out across the country to discuss red tape, they must explain to Canadian businesses how the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will provide timely assistance navigating red tape with 80% fewer resources at its disposal.
According to a recent response to a Liberal Order Paper question, the CRA’s Policy, Rulings and Interpretations branch will be slashed from $354 million to $69 million. Furthermore, in its current Report on Plans and Priorities, the CRA admits that, ‘In recent years, the turnaround time for advance income tax rulings has been in excess of our published service standard.’
Given that a 2011 survey of small business owners by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business gave the CRA’s current customer service a grade of C-, how will the Conservatives ensure that Canadian businesses receive timely, quality service in light of this hefty reduction?”
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Background:
The Liberal Order Paper Question can be viewed here.
Contact:
Press Office
Office of the Liberal Leader
613-947-5100
