Please note that the following document, although believed to be correct at the time of issue, may not represent the current position of the Department.
Prenez note que ce document, bien qu'exact au moment émis, peut ne pas représenter la position actuelle du ministère.
MINISTER/DM'S OFFICE 96-04213M
ADM'S OFFICE
RETURN TO RULINGS, 15TH FLOOR, 25 NICHOLAS ST.
PENDING
July 16, 1996
XXXXXXXXXX
Dear XXXXXXXXXX:
The Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of National Revenue, has asked me to reply to your letter of May 29, 1996, concerning taxpayer confidentiality and the Auditor General's report on the tax treatment of two family trusts.
I wish to assure you that Revenue Canada is committed to maintaining the confidentiality of taxpayer information. In this regard, every employee of Revenue Canada takes an oath of office and secrecy, obligating him or her to protect confidential information about clients and their affairs. Suspected breaches of confidentiality are the subject of internal review by the security directorate of the department. Any employee who fails to protect confidential information is subject to disciplinary action, which may include dismissal in serious situations.
Since some of the comments in your letter concern information contained in the Auditor's General report, I have sent a copy of your letter to the Auditor General of Canada, Mr. Denis Desautels, for his consideration.
I wish to thank you for expressing your concerns on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Pierre Gravelle, Q.C.
C.C. Mr. Denis Desautels
Auditor General of Canada
Catherine Bowen
957-2104
June 25, 1996
962146