CRA Ombudsman Appointed!! : CRA SOTW
Alan Baggett
Well, it took long enough but they finally got someone in place. More
information, including Mr. Dube's biography, can be found on the
Taxpayers' Ombudsman's Web site at www.taxpayersrights.gc.ca.
And the same day the Ombudsman appointment is announced the CRA
announces changes of their own at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/complaints/
- a new complaint resolution process called CRA Service Complaints -
in an attempt to circumvent complaints to the new office.
HERE Is the Official Ombudsman's Announcement:
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - Feb. 21, 2008) - The Honourable
Gordon O'Connor, Minister of National Revenue, today announced the
appointment of Mr. Paul Dube as Canada's first Taxpayers' Ombudsman.
The Taxpayers' Ombudsman will operate independently from the Canada
Revenue Agency (CRA) and will ensure that the CRA is more accountable
to Canadians.
"Today's announcement, when combined with last year's introduction of
the Taxpayers' Bill of Rights, clearly demonstrates our government
commitment to strong accountability and tax fairness," said Minister
O'Connor. "The Taxpayers' Ombudsman will ensure that Canadians receive
a high standard of service from CRA."
"My goal is to help ensure that Canada continues to have one of the
fairest, efficient and open system of tax and benefit administration
possible," said Mr. Dube. "I am dedicated to do my part to help CRA
enhance accountability and service to the public, and provide
taxpayers with assurance that they will be treated fairly and with
respect."
As an independent and impartial officer, the Taxpayers' Ombudsman will
ensure that the service rights outlined in the Taxpayer Bill of Rights
are being upheld and respected. The Ombudsman's responsibilities will
include:
- ensuring that the CRA upholds the Taxpayer Bill of Rights' service-
related provisions;
- determining whether the CRA has properly handled a service
complaint, in situations where taxpayers feel they have not been
treated fairly or appropriately;
- identifying systemic and emerging service-related issues that have a
negative impact on taxpayers; and
- providing advice and recommendations to the Minister of National
Revenue about service-related matters in the CRA.
The appointment of the Taxpayers' Ombudsman is one of several
accountability initiatives that have been introduced by the Government
of Canada, as it moves to strengthen Canada's democratic institutions,
increase transparency and accountability, and to ensure fair and
equitable treatment to all Canadians.
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