Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier said she was never told about corruption allegations against Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) corporate tax settlements, according to Blacklock’s Reporter. .“Neither the minister nor her staff were involved in these decisions nor in the investigation more broadly,” said Lebouthillier in an inquiry tabled in the House of Commons. .“The minister became aware of the issue when it entered the public sphere through media.”.The inquiry was tabled after a request from NDP MP Niki Ashton. .Various MPs sought an investigation about how CRA mismanagement in 2019 and 2020 led to a seven-figure tax saving for an unidentified corporate lobbyist. The allegations concerned tax settlements for large companies with offshore accounts..Allegations detailed in unrelated Federal Court of Canada documents named former CRA assistant revenue commissioner Ted Gallivan as the senior executive who approved the secret tax deal for the lobbyist. Gallivan was reassigned to the Canada Border Services Agency in 2021..The inquiry said at least five managers were involved in the lobbyists’ deal. None of these managers were identified. .“There is a willingness for Gallivan and those near him to manipulate tax outcomes for specific taxpayers that are outside the normal procedures which are designed to maintain integrity and fairness in the administration of tax laws by the CRA,” said one complainant. .The allegation is unproven, and Gallivan has not commented..Complainants said employees were forced to approve documents to which they objected, and Gallivan signed off on a tax settlement without reading it. Court records show one manager who declined to approve a deal requested by one of his associates was told he had no choice. .One accuser said Gallivan was “instrumental in stick handling the sweetheart tax treatment.” This accuser said Gallivan and his associates tried to cover up sweetheart deals. .“The minister respects the Agency’s arm’s length status and does not interfere in the outcomes of specific taxpayer files,” said Lebouthillier. .Lebouthillier said in May corruption allegations at the CRA were unfounded. .READ MORE: Revenue minister dismisses corruption allegations against a top CRA manager.“During this Mental Health Week, this is very twisted rhetoric to hear from the other side of the House,” she said. .The House of Commons erupted in jeers.
