QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Canada Revenue Agency
June 15, 2026
The next leak in overseas tax evasion was the Paradise Papers. We found out that there were 2,790 Canadians named in the Paradise Papers leak.
As of March 31, 2024, in response to my Senate written question — which you would have access to; it’s a public document, leader — there have been no criminal investigations of tax evasion as a result of the Paradise Papers.
Senator Wells introduced Bill C-230 last week, which I’ll speak about later tonight. The overarching theme is transparency.
The Canada Revenue Agency is not telling Canadians what they’re doing. The question is this: Are they not telling Canadians what they’re doing anymore because they’re not having any success? Why are they hiding the facts from Canadians? Could you find out from the minister and the Secretary of State of the Canada Revenue Agency?
It seems, Senator Downe, that we have to arrange a rendezvous, you and I, to make sure that I have all the facts straight, because it seems that you have done important research and have a very serious question, I must say. I will try to be helpful in order to provide you with an answer from the agency or from the minister responsible for that agency.
The last major leak was the Panama Papers. That was actually 10 years ago. So the CRA had 10 years to follow up.
What they have announced to me in some of their correspondence is that they completed over 310 taxpayers’ audits linked to the Panama Papers, resulting in $83 million in federal taxes and penalties. They have conducted further investigations. This is an important point for the minister to get back to you about as well.
Certainly. I take all of your questions very seriously, and I will raise them with the minister and try to bring back an answer to you.
