QUESTION PERIOD — National Revenue
Review of Systemic Bias
December 8, 2022
My question is for the government leader.
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights has been working extensively to understand the extent of Islamophobia in Canada. Recently, testimony by officials from the Canada Revenue Agency as well as from the Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson shed light on systemic biases in the Canadian government. We learned that the CRA has been obstructing the ombudsperson’s investigation on the grounds of national security and his lack of jurisdiction. The CRA Charities Directorate’s director general shared that the framework used for audits was not established or created at the CRA.
Leaders in the Muslim charity sector have been speaking out against systemic biases for years now, and their fears have since been confirmed by reports by the University of Toronto Institute of Islamic Studies and the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group.
Leader, why did it take a Senate study on Islamophobia to finally get the ball rolling on this issue?
First of all, the government is grateful for the Senate’s study to shine a light on the issues that are affecting the communities in Canada. The government takes these issues very seriously, and is pursuing its investigation diligently.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the existence of systemic Islamophobia in the Canada Revenue Agency, or CRA, and referred the review to the Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson. The ombudsperson has testified before the Human Rights Committee and admitted that he’s working with one arm tied behind his back. The much-publicized National Summit on Islamophobia in 2021 didn’t achieve anything. Once again, this government is all talk and no action. Leader, what are this government’s real plans to finally tackling systemic Islamophobia?
Thank you for the follow-up question. As you know, Minister Lebouthillier asked the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson to conduct the systemic review that addresses the concerns of the Muslim communities in Canada. These actions will allow the agency to lead the way toward processes that are more inclusive and representative of the country it serves at all levels of the organization. But, colleagues, as we know, the CRA is an agency that operates at arm’s length from the government. Minister Lebouthillier expects both the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson and the Canada Revenue Agency to cooperate fully with each other in this study.
As indicated by the Prime Minister, the government knows there is significantly more to do. The government will look at and consider what other actions it may take.
