Foreword by the Chair

As the Chair of the Board of Management I am pleased with the Canada Revenue Agency results for the past year. I believe our Board has fulfilled its oversight responsibilities, working together with Board members, the Commissioner and his management team, as well as the employees of the CRA.

In fulfilling our responsibilities the Board has also supported the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in achieving the planned strategic objectives, with the overall goal of providing continual improvements in service to Canadian taxpayers and benefit recipients.

Continual improvement in service to Canadians remains a high priority for the Board and the CRA. It is one of the pillars of our roadmap for integrity and security, service, and compliance, which was approved by the Board in December 2013. The Board is fully engaged in the CRA's enhanced emphasis on integrity and security, and ensuring services are available for taxpayers to comply with their tax obligations.

In 2013-2014 the CRA continued transformation with regard to the government's overall fiscal rebalancing efforts. The Board is pleased with the progress of transformation to date, and continues to encourage the CRA to focus on reducing red tape internally, as well as for Canadians, in particular for small and medium enterprises, in dealing with the CRA. To this end, the Board remains committed to working with the Commissioner and staff at the CRA to continually find ways to streamline and simplify processes, while introducing new e-services for Canadian taxpayers.

"The Board supports the CRA's strategic objectives, with the overall goal of providing continual improvements in service to Canadian taxpayers and benefit recipients" —Richard (Rick) Thorpe

In June 2013, the Board welcomed the Clerk of the Privy Council to our Strategic Planning meeting, where he shared with the Board the Government's Blueprint 2020, a process to renew Canada's public service. The CRA's Commissioner has also engaged the Board in the CRA's Blueprint 2020 plans, employee engagement and consultations. The Board is committed to working with the Commissioner on this promising initiative.

I would like to express my thanks to Ms. Susan J. McArthur, whose term as Board Chair ended on August 3, 2013, and to my colleague Ms. Fauzia Lalani, who served as interim Chair until October 3, 2013, for their service to Canadians, as well as for giving me and the Directors of the Board assistance and direction in ensuring the CRA has a solid strategic framework and is focused on providing Canadians with the services they deserve.

On behalf of the CRA Board of Management, I am pleased to recommend this report to the Minister of National Revenue, the Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, for tabling in Parliament.

original signed

Richard (Rick) Thorpe, CPA, CMA, FCMA
Chair, Board of Management