March 22, 2012
Overseas Tax Dodgers Don’t Deserve Honours:
Senator calls on Governor General to vet
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal Nominees
Charlottetown Senator Percy Downe has written Governor General David Johnston regarding his concern that the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals may be awarded to Canadians who have been identified by foreign governments as holding secret bank accounts in known tax havens overseas and are trying to avoid taxes owed to Canada.
Downe’s concern was prompted by information provided to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) by governments in Europe with regard to more than 1800 Canadians with hidden bank accounts in Liechtenstein and Switzerland. More than four years after the initial revelations, there hasn’t been a single tax evasion charge laid in any of the cases involving Canadians hiding their money overseas.
“These wealthy tax cheats benefit from taxpayer-funded services, such as Canada’s healthcare system when they or a family member gets sick, but they refuse to fund the social programs and infrastructure that support our country,” said Downe.
Senator Downe pointed out that all senior nominations and appointments by the Government of Canada require confirmation by the CRA that the candidate is currently in good standing with the Agency and called upon the Governor General to “ensure that those Canadians who are truly deserving of the 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee Medal do not have it belittled in any way by sharing it with those who have money hidden in overseas tax havens.”
“I am requesting that you confirm that all nominees for the 60th Anniversary Medal are in good standing with the CRA prior to confirming their awarding of this prestigious honour,” concluded Downe.
A copy of the letter is attached below.
For further information:
Senator Percy Downe: 613-943-8107
Or toll free at 1-800-267-7362
www.sen.parl.gc.ca/pdowne
March 22, 2012
His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M, C.D.
Governor General of Canada
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa ON K1A 0A1
Excellency:
I am writing to you today with regard to my concern that the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals may be unintentionally awarded to Canadians who have been identified by foreign governments as holding secret bank accounts in known tax havens overseas.
As I am sure you are aware, overseas tax evasion is an extremely serious issue. In recent years, governments in Europe provided the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) with lists of names of 1800 Canadians with hidden bank accounts in known tax havens such as Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Since obtaining this information, the CRA has failed to assess any fines or lay any charges against these Canadian tax cheats, and the names of these account holders remain a mystery.
This continued anonymity does not serve the interests of a fair and equitable tax system. As a lawyer involved in the Liechtenstein affair stated:
“Settlements in these situations must be made public. And they must be made public for two reasons, first to ensure that there isn’t a cosy deal between the government and some very rich politically influential people, on one side.
And on the other side as a deterrent to anyone else who might be thinking of doing this. Because as you can imagine if someone is out there cheating on taxes and he’s been publicly exposed he won’t become a knight. He won’t exactly be an honoured citizen who’s given awards. He won’t be appointed to State business and State Commissions. And that’s very important.
Shaming them in their own community. And that is how it should be, because paying taxes is an essential civic responsibility. And the rest of us are the ones who pay for what these people don’t pay.”
(Source: http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2008/s2383439.htm)
Canadians who try to evade paying their taxes are unworthy of receiving an honour such as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. Wealthy tax cheats benefit from taxpayer-funded services such as Canada’s healthcare system when they or a family member gets sick, but they refuse to fund their fair share of the social programs and infrastructure that support our country. The selfish greed of these Canadians eclipses whatever contribution they may have made to their province, territory, region, community or country that would otherwise make them eligible to receive the Medal.
As you know, all senior nominations and appointments by the Government of Canada require confirmation by the Canada Revenue Agency that the candidate is currently in good standing with the Agency, prior to being approved by the Cabinet. Similarly, with regards to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, I trust you will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that those Canadians who are truly deserving of this honour do not have it belittled in any way by sharing it with tax cheats who have money hidden in overseas tax havens.
I am requesting that you confirm that all nominees for the 60th Anniversary Medal are in good standing with the CRA prior to confirming their awarding of this honour.
Yours truly,
Percy E. Downe
Senator |
