Introduction by the Commissioner

The CCRA is in the business of promoting compliance with Canadian tax, trade, and border legislation. We measure our success by looking at some very tangible results that mean a lot to Canadians. Are our borders protected from terrorists and other threats to our safety and security? Is enough being done to promote Canada's economic growth? Are Canadians receiving their benefit payments on time? Do individuals and businesses have access to appeal processes that are impartial and timely? And, finally, a question that resonates with us all: are we paying our fair share of taxes—no more and no less?

In 2002-2003, the CCRA continued to achieve remarkable results that would not have been possible without the dedication of our employees and the cooperation of our partners and clients. We worked closely with our colleagues in Health Canada to respond to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak. We joined forces with the United States to introduce customs programs to protect our society and expedite legitimate trade. We issued over 99% of benefit payments on time. We made significant improvements in how quickly we resolve appeals disputes. We also introduced a number of administrative changes to reduce the risk of fraudulent GST/HST claims.

I am proud to report that we are at the forefront of the latest advances in technology, business and management practices, and government priorities. We are also pursuing an aggressive service innovation agenda, enhancing the CCRA's leadership position in e-government. Our clients can file their returns electronically or request information on their accounts, anywhere, almost anytime. Reducing the reporting and compliance burden in this way not only benefits businesses and individuals, it also supports the broader Government of Canada policies of promoting service innovation and improving overall productivity. These are only a few examples of the CCRA's commitment to continually improve the service we deliver to Canadians.

We can only continue to achieve these types of successes if Canadians trust the integrity of our organization. The confidence that individuals and businesses have in the CCRA is a cornerstone of Canada's tax and customs administration. We are working hard to maintain and foster this confidence—through an emphasis on fairness, honesty, and professionalism at all levels in our organization. The Fairness Provisions of the Income Tax Act, Customs Act and Excise Tax Act, our independent appeals process, and our internal Code of Ethics and Conduct reinforce our commitment to justice and impartiality.

In all the business that the CCRA does, we strive to overcome challenges and take important steps forward while remaining focused on our compliance mandate. Our success is the result of the hard work of our employees as well as the cooperation and confidence of our clients and our partners. I believe that the CCRA is a dynamic agency ready to take on the challenges of the twenty-first century.

Alan Nymark
Commissioner
CCRA

Date modified:

2003-10-29