Statement by the Minister of National Revenue, Keith Ashfield, on the Taxpayers' Ombudsman Report: Right to Know

November 9, 2010 – As Minister for National Revenue, I accept the recommendation made by the Taxpayers' Ombudsman in his report released today: The Right to Know.

The recommendation made by the Ombudsman is fair and appropriate. I have already asked the Canada Revenue Agency to develop a plan of action and make the necessary changes in order to accommodate his recommendation.

Our government is committed to ensuring the fair and equitable treatment of all Canadian taxpayers. That is why we developed and introduced the Taxpayer Bill of Rights and created the position of Taxpayers' Ombudsman to report to the Minister with recommendations on how the Canada Revenue Agency can better serve Canadians. The role of the Ombudsman is to ensure that the Canada Revenue Agency is respecting the rights of taxpayers as per the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, and I am pleased to accept and act on the recommendation in his report.

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Noël Carisse
Media Relations
Canada Revenue Agency
613-952-9184

Erin Filliter
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Revenue
613-995-2960