OTTAWA - Cathy McLeod, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue, announced on Nov. 1, that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will consult with small and medium-sized businesses during the month of November to discuss the implementation of specific measures included in the Red Tape Reduction Action Plan.
“Our Government’s Red Tape Reduction Action Plan identifies broad areas of improvement. As we move to implement this plan, we want to ensure that our priorities reflect the needs of the business community,” said MP McLeod. “Our Government is committed to getting it right when it comes to cutting red tape and maintaining good lines of communication with businesses.”
The consultations will include participants from different types of small and medium-sized businesses, and will address their specific needs in areas such as reporting obligations, usage and availability of online services, and information requirements across federal departments and other levels of governments.
The sessions will be held across Canada in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax. Participants will be invited through business associations and organizations.
The Conservative Government established the Red Tape Reduction Commission in January 2011 to identify irritants to small businesses that result from federal government rules and regulations. In October 2012, the Honourable Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board, unveiled the Red Tape Reduction Action Plan.
“Within the Action Plan, CRA had 12 specific recommendations. While some of the measures have already been implemented, others require further consultation with businesses,” concluded McLeod.