Winnipeg, Manitoba, August 29, 2012... The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue, accompanied by Lawrence Toet, Member of Parliament for Elmwood-Transcona, and Wendy Galagan, Executive Director of the Transcona Business Improvement Zone, today met with members of the local business community to discuss a number of initiatives the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has introduced to reduce the burden placed on small businesses.
“Our Government recognizes how important small businesses are to the Canadian economy. We look forward to continuing discussions with business owners about how the CRA’s online initiatives can help them build their business,” said Minister Shea. “The CRA will continue offering improved services online so that our country’s entrepreneurs have access to information when and where they need it.”
Minister Shea explained that making information clear and accessible online is a promising step towards empowering and supporting small businesses by cutting government red tape. In order to keep businesses informed on tax matters, a number of new features have been added to the CRA Web site:
- The CRA has developed a number of videos to deliver information to businesses. These videos cover topics such as payroll, employer provided gifts and awards and parking, record-keeping, reporting business income and expenses, how to start a new business, and changes to the Canada Pension Plan. The videos, accompanied by relevant links and written transcripts, are available at www.cra.gc.ca/videogallery.
- To serve Canadian business owners better, the CRA recently created a one-stop shop Web page where businesses can find information and service options that may apply to their situation, visit it at www.cra.gc.ca/businessonline.
- The new My Business Account Enquiries Service allows businesses, or their representative, to ask the CRA tax-related questions specific to their account. Businesses then receive their answer online, in writing, in the Message Centre.
- In 2011, the CRA introduced the Group ID feature in Represent a Client that lets businesses maintain employee access to business information through the online service. This means that business owners only need to fill out the RC59, Business Consent Form, once addressing a key irritant for the business community.
"Maintaining an open dialogue with small business is an important priority for the Harper Government,” said MP Toet. “By extending the Hiring Credit for Small Business and supporting the online initiatives developed by the CRA, we are working towards empowering small businesses which, in turn, create jobs and sustain our economy.”
“It is important to shine a spotlight on local, provincial, and federal initiatives for businesses,” said Executive Director Galagan. “Promoting mutual interests creates a support network for all businesses, large or small.”
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FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Honourable Gail Shea, accompanied by Lawrence Toet, Member of Parliament for Elmwood-Transcona, and Wendy Galagan, Executive Director of the Transcona Business Improvement Zone, today visited Winnipeg to promote the steps the Harper Government has taken to improve its services and reduce the burden placed on small businesses. The CRA has introduced a variety of fast, easy, and secure online resources available to support businesses when they interact with the CRA.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Clarke Olsen
Acting Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Revenue
613-995-2960
Noel Carisse
Canada Revenue Agency
Media Relations
613-952-9184
