Open Letter to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue

Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Finance and National Revenue
House of Commons
Ottawa ON K1A 0A6

Open Letter: Service at Canada Revenue Agency

Dear Minister Champagne:

Congratulations on your appointment to the 30th Canadian Ministry.

I am writing to express my growing dissatisfaction with the responses Canadians, and the Members of Parliament who are acting on their behalf, are receiving from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

On numerous occasions over the past year my constituency offices have received very poor-quality service from CRA.

As you know, Canada has an increasingly complex tax system. Over the past several years many of my constituents have found they are being unfairly taxed due to errors made by CRA officials. Similarly, many of my constituents have discovered they are not receiving the refunds, payments, and benefits to which they are legally entitled.

Instead of having the inquiries submitted by my office taken seriously, CRA is frequently dismissive or outright hostile to genuine tax problems. My constituency offices have found the responses received from CRA to be slow, ineffective and, in some cases, totally incorrect. It is evident that certain CRA employees do not consider it their responsibility to actually resolve cases, rather they are attempting to fulfill a “quota” and close files before a solution has been reached.

One of they key responsibilities of a Member of Parliament is to serve as an advocate for their constituents. This is especially important in cases where federal departments and agencies are acting unfairly, or not responding in a timely fashion to issues directly affecting those constituents.

This is unacceptable for taxpayers and the Members of Parliament working to help their constituents out of difficult situations.

I urge you to make it a priority and take immediate action to improve the quality of service at CRA for all Canadians and the MPs who serve them.

Sincerely,
John Nater, M.P.
Perth—Wellington

c. Hon. Wayne Long, P.C., M.P., Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)