Videocast transcript: Annual report

Hi, I'm J. Paul Dubé, Canada's Taxpayers' Ombudsman. The Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsman was created in 2008 to help settle unresolved disputes between taxpayers and the Canada Revenue Agency (the CRA). My role is to see that Canadians get the fair treatment and professional service they are entitled to under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. We also work to identify systemic issues that can lead to the recurrence of complaints.

In our first full year of operation the Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsman accomplished three major objectives:

One, we responded to thousands of enquiries from taxpayers and conducted hundreds of independent and impartial reviews.

Two, we consulted with taxpayers and tax professionals across the country and learned about the service issues that affect them.

Three, we increased awareness of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights and the role of the Ombudsman. This is a key part of my mandate. After all… rights do not afford maximum protection… if people are not aware of them.

I believe the Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsman has enormous potential to help the CRA improve its service to Canadians. We are still in the building phase, yet I am pleased to tell you that we have already made a difference in the lives of many Canadians.

My team and I have set three priorities for the coming year:                    

To continue to raise awareness of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights and the role of the Ombudsman

To demonstrate to the CRA how we can help it provide the best service and fairest treatment to taxpayers,

And explore ways to communicate and collaborate more effectively with the CRA, so that both our organizations can best serve the interests of taxpayers.

Good service and fair treatment increase trust and confidence in Canada's tax system. The better the service and treatment… the fewer disputes there will be, saving us all time, energy, and money.

As Canada's taxpayer's ombudsman, I am committed to promoting fair treatment and professional service from the Canada Revenue Agency. I will continue to help the CRA improve its service to Canadians. And I will work to uphold the service rights within the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.  That is what Canadians tell us they want. It's what they need... And it's what they should expect from their taxpayer's ombudsman.

Thank You!

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