Why are the Liberals denying benefits to families who deserve them?
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, our government remains committed to ensuring that Canadians receive the credits and benefits to which they are entitled, as we recognize that they are essential for middle-class families to make ends meet.
We have made significant progress in getting benefits to eligible Canadians. For example, the CRA now proactively communicates with low-income non-filers to encourage them to file so they can get the money they are owed.
After 10 years of cuts under the Harper Conservatives, we will continue to invest in a new client-focussed approach.
Context : 2nd Question
Mr. Peter Julian (New Westminster—Burnaby, NDP): Mr. Speaker, Liberals should be targeting tax havens, not targeting families.
The Prime Minister made a snide comment yesterday about the NDP when I asked him about the by-elections. It is not just the NDP calling for a vote. It is Canadians.
Today, party leaders from across the political spectrum called on the Prime Minister to show respect to voters. Three hundred thousand Canadians are being denied the right to representation by the Prime Minister.
Will he listen to parties representing 150 members of Parliament and call the vote now?
Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, to go back to the CRA, we have made historic investments to fight against tax cheats. We fully adopted the international standard for automatic information exchange with our partners in the OECD to give the CRA useful data to help fight tax cheats even more effectively. With respect to offshore tax evasion, the CRA is currently conducting audits on over more than 1,100 taxpayers and opened over 50 criminal investigations.
As for the by-elections, we look forward to calling them soon. I look forward to campaigning against people who are so enthusiastic about the democratic process.