Consultations held in northern Canada
The Government of Canada is committed to offering services that are more client-focused at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This means that the CRA must ensure that all Canadians receive the benefits they are entitled to and that the CRA adapts to circumstances unique to living in the north.
The CRA travelled to the North looking for feedback from small and medium businesses and accountants in 2014 and 2016. The Serving You Better consultations in 2016 were launched by the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, as part of her mandate to modernize and improve services at the CRA.
Senior officials met with small and medium businesses and accountants in sessions hosted by local chambers of commerce and accounting organizations in Whitehorse, Yellowknife, and Iqaluit.
Thank you to everyone who shared feedback. Special thanks to the Mayor of Iqaluit, the participants from territorial governments, Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce, Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, Certified General Accountants Association of the Northwest Territories/Nunavut, Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce, Northwest Company, and Lester Landau, Chartered Accountants.
What you said:
"Consultations with northern residents provided very good discussions about the challenges and issues that Nunavummiut face with respect to CRA."
Taxes in the North
When we visited your cities, we heard feedback that was not just about businesses. It was about the challenges you face in meeting tax obligations because you live in the North. Your feedback informed us that not everyone is aware they need to file a tax return to claim the benefits they are entitled to. You also expressed frustration with identifying the Lowest Return Airfare when claiming the deduction for travel benefits. Although these are not specifically business problems, the feedback you shared was targeted and constructive. Thank you!
The CRA is acting on your feedback, examining our services and administrative practices and making improvements where we can. We are committed to treating Canadians as valued clients and not simply taxpayers. That commitment includes acting on constructive feedback we receive, even when it is not about what we came to hear.
The following are highlights of what you told us, as well as commitments on improvements we plan to make in fiscal years 2017‐2018 and 2018‐2019. You can track our progress as we complete individual action items.
2016 Serving You Better consultations
In the fall of 2016, the CRA held Serving You Better consultations with small and medium businesses and accountants across Canada. Participants shared valuable insights that will be used to make our programs and services more streamlined and client-focused. To learn more, see the CRA’s Report on the 2016 Serving You Better consultations.
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