News release

Taxpayers' Ombudsman launches national outreach tour

Ottawa, Ontario, December 9, 2008... Mr. Paul Dubé, Canada's first Taxpayers' Ombudsman, announced today that he is launching a national outreach tour that will take him to several cities across Canada. This tour is an opportunity for him to tell Canadians that they now have someone independent and impartial to review their service complaints about the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). "My mandate is to see that Canadians get the professional service and fair treatment they are entitled to from the CRA"; said Mr. Dubé.

The objective of the tour is to ensure that Canadians learn about the services that the Office of the Taxpayers'Ombudsman offers, and to hear comments that could help identify current or emerging service-related issues within the CRA that may have a negative impact on taxpayers, benefit recipients, or small businesses. "I look forward to working with taxpayers and the CRA in order to resolve conflicts and improve service,"; added Mr. Dubé.

Starting in Toronto on Monday, December 15, 2008, Mr. Dubé will meet with business and taxpayer associations, tax lawyers, and accountants, as well as individuals who receive services from the CRA.

Media representatives who would like to arrange an interview with Mr. Dubé are asked to contact his office at the number listed below. Subsequent visits are scheduled as follows, although dates are subject to change:

Toronto: December 15-17, 2008
Winnipeg, Calgary: January 12-16, 2009
Vancouver: January 19-23, 2009
Halifax, Moncton, Fredericton: April 20-24, 2009

This document is also available for download in PDF format.

For media information:

Rox-Anne D'Aoust
Public Affairs Advisor
Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsman
Telephone: 613-941-6244
Cell: 613-219-1474
roxanne.daoust@taxpayersrights.gc.ca

More information, including Mr. Dubé's biography, can be found on the Taxpayers' Ombudsman Web site at www.taxpayersrights.gc.ca.