Canada News Centre2026-02-19T10:41:24-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/news.htmlhttps://www.canada.ca/etc/designs/canada/wet-boew/assets/wmms-blk.svghttps://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2026/02/statement-from-taxpayers-ombudsperson-about-upcoming-tax-filing-season.html

OTTAWA, February 19, 2026 – Tax season officially launches next week. For many taxpayers, this may be the only time of year when they interact with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It is therefore important for the CRA to respond to enquiries in a timely manner to make sure it meets taxpayers’ expectations.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2026-02-19T10:35:22-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2026/02/statement-from-taxpayers-ombudsperson-about-the-renewal-of-grant-program-for-free-tax-clinics.html

I was pleased to see the announcement from the Honourable Wayne Long, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions), that the Grant program for the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) and the Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program (ITAVP) in Quebec has been extended for another three years.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2026-02-05T12:00:18-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2025/12/statement-from-the-taxpayers-ombudsperson-about-the-end-of-the-canada-revenue-agencys-100-day-service-improvement-plan.html

Today marks the end of the 100-day plan that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) was directed to put in place to strengthen services, improve access, and reduce delays.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2025-12-11T09:30:05-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2025/12/taxpayers-ombudsperson-calls-for-improvements-at-the-canada-revenue-agency-to-address-delays-impacting-persons-with-disabilities.html

The Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson has asked the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to improve the processing of complex T1 adjustments for persons with disabilities and their supporting family members.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2025-12-03T13:00:00-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2025/10/statement-from-the-taxpayers-ombudsperson-about-the-canada-revenue-agencys-progress-halfway-through-its-100-day-service-improvement-plan.html

Our Office has been closely monitoring the progress that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has been making in the 100-day plan, which it was directed to put in place by the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue. Yesterday marked the halfway point for this plan, and that same day the Office of the Auditor General released its report on the CRA’s contact centres.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2025-10-22T13:20:38-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2025/09/statement-from-francois-boileau-taxpayers-ombudsperson-on-the-extension-of-his-term.html

I am honoured that my term as Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson has been extended for another two years. I am humbled that the Government of Canada and the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, trust me to continue improving the service that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) provides to the public.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2025-09-16T13:05:17-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2025/09/statement-from-the-taxpayers-ombudsperson-about-100-day-plan-to-strengthen-service-at-the-canada-revenue-agency.html

OTTAWA, September 3, 2025 – I was pleased to learn about the recent request from the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, and the Honourable Wayne Long, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions), to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The Minister and the Secretary of State have asked the CRA to implement a 100-day plan to strengthen its services, reduce delays, and improve accessibility for taxpayers.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2025-09-03T09:35:00-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2025/06/taxpayers-ombudsperson-releases-his-fifth-and-final-annual-report.html

Canada’s Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, has released his annual report, Clearing the Path, which was tabled today in the House of Commons. The report provides an overview of the activities of the Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson (OTO) between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. It includes two recommendations to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue and the Chair of the CRA’s Board of Management to improve the CRA’s service to Canadians.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2025-06-20T07:38:59-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2025/05/statement-from-the-taxpayers-ombudsperson-congratulating-the-new-minister-of-finance-and-national-revenue.html

I would like to congratulate the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, on his added responsibilities in Cabinet.I look forward to working with Mr. Champagne to improve services at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The CRA has the dual responsibility of administering tax legislation and distributing benefit payments to those who need them most. I trust that he will give both aspects of this role the attention they require.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2025-05-14T14:30:58-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2025/03/taxpayers-ombudsperson-makes-11-recommendations-after-reviewing-how-the-canada-revenue-agency-administers-the-canada-child-benefit-for-temporary-re.html

Today, the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, released Timing Is Everything, the report on our Office’s examination into issues that could prevent some temporary residents from receiving the Canada child benefit (CCB) in a timely manner.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2025-03-18T11:00:46-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2025/03/taxpayers-ombudsperson-makes-five-recommendations-after-reviewing-canada-revenue-agencys-administration-of-2023-bare-trust-filing-requirements.html

Today, the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, released Unintended Consequences, the report on our Office’s examination into how the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administered the 2023 filing requirements for bare trusts.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2025-03-05T11:00:00-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2025/02/statement-from-the-taxpayers-ombudsperson-about-the-launch-of-the-2025-tax-season.html

It’s that time of year again! The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) officially launched tax-filing season on February 24. From now until April 30, most taxpayers will be getting their paperwork in order to file their 2024 income tax and benefit returns.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2025-02-26T10:30:13-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2024/12/statement-from-the-taxpayers-ombudsperson-welcoming-the-new-minister-of-national-revenue.html

I would like to welcome the new Minister of National Revenue, the Honourable Élisabeth Brière, as the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau moves on to the next stage of her career.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2024-12-20T14:30:40-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2024/10/taxpayers-ombudsperson-is-pleased-that-the-canada-revenue-agency-is-exempting-bare-trustees-from-the-2024-filing-requirement.html

The Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, is pleased that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has proactively waived the 2024 filing requirement for bare trusts, unless it makes a direct request.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2024-10-30T15:00:00-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2024/10/taxpayers-ombudsperson-releases-20232024-annual-report.html

Canada’s Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, released his annual report, Fair Access to Service, which was tabled yesterday in the House of Commons by Ms. Iqra Khalid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue. The report provides an overview of the activities of the Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson (OTO) between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2024-10-09T08:00:46-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2024/08/canada-revenue-agency-contact-centres-hours-are-now-extended-after-taxpayers-ombudspersons-request-to-give-taxpayers-equal-access-across-canada.html

The CRA’s contact centres for its individual and business tax enquiries lines were open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., local time. However, the Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson (OTO) found that the CRA’s telephone system was preventing callers from reaching an agent if the contact centre was not open in the time zone associated with the caller’s phone number.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2024-08-20T11:30:00-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2024/07/taxpayers-ombudsperson-launches-systemic-examination-into-canada-revenue-agencys-2023-bare-trust-filing-requirements.html

The Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, has formally opened a systemic examination into whether the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) respected taxpayers’ rights in its administration of bare trust filing requirements for the 2023 tax year.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2024-07-10T11:11:37-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2024/03/taxpayers-ombudsperson-launches-systemic-examination-into-delays-in-canada-child-benefit-payments-for-temporary-residents.html

The Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, has opened a systemic examination into issues that could prevent some temporary residents from receiving the Canada child benefit (CCB) in a timely manner. Temporary residents are legally authorized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to enter Canada for temporary purposes, including as a visitor, student, worker, or temporary resident permit holder. Most temporary residents are eligible to receive the CCB in their 19th month of continuous residency in Canada. However, the Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson (OTO) has found issues that could be causing unnecessary interruptions in CCB payments to some temporary residents.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2024-03-26T22:00:14-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2024/02/statement-from-the-taxpayers-ombudsperson-about-the-launch-of-the-2024-tax-season.html

Tax season is upon us. This year, the process of filing an income tax and benefit return may feel particularly daunting. After a long period of high inflation following the COVID 19 pandemic, many Canadians are feeling financial strain. In such a stressful economic environment, the last thing anyone needs is a service issue with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2024-02-27T08:26:33-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2023/12/the-office-of-the-taxpayers-ombudsperson-celebrates-15-years-of-serving-canadians.html

This year at the Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson (OTO), we are celebrating our 15th anniversary. Since we began operations in 2008, our mission has been to help Canadians who are having service issues with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). We do this by examining complaints and by increasing awareness of their rights, namely under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Although the OTO is very small compared to the CRA, we have accomplished an impressive scale of work for our size.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2023-12-13T10:00:11-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2023/11/20222023-annual-report-of-the-office-of-the-taxpayers-ombudsperson-emphasis-on-the-taxpayer-bill-of-rights.html

OTTAWA, November 28, 2023 - Today, Canada’s Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, released his annual report, Upholding Your Rights, which was tabled earlier today in the House of Commons by Ms. Iqra Khalid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue. The report provides an overview of the activities of the Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson (OTO) between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2023-11-28T10:00:04-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2023/07/statement-from-the-taxpayers-ombudsperson-welcoming-the-new-minister-of-national-revenue.html

Statement from the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson welcoming the new minister of national revenue

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2023-07-26T12:50:51-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2023/07/taxpayers-ombudsperson-requests-that-the-canada-revenue-agency-make-improvements-to-respect-canadians-right-to-be-represented-by-a-person-of-their-.html

The Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, sent a service improvement request to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), asking it to update its processes and its content on Canada.ca to make sure it respects Taxpayer Right 15 of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, “You have the right to be represented by a person of your choice.”

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2023-07-13T08:23:02-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2023/05/taxpayers-ombudsperson-requests-that-the-canada-revenue-agency-improve-the-information-it-provides-to-indigenous-peoples.html

The Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, has sent a service improvement request to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), asking it to update its information for Indigenous Peoples on Canada.ca.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2023-05-30T08:51:15-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2023/05/taxpayers-ombudsperson-to-monitor-and-examine-issues-related-to-cra-communications-about-the-collection-of-covid-related-benefit-overpayments.html

Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson to monitor and examine issues related to CRA communications about the collection of COVID-related benefit overpayments

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2023-05-04T14:59:59-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2023/04/taxpayers-ombudspersons-statement-regarding-budget-2023-tax-filing-proposals.html

Taxpayers' Ombudsperson released a statement regarding the 2023 federal budget

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2023-04-18T11:04:12-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2023/03/taxpayers-ombudsperson-releases-report-on-the-fairness-of-the-canada-revenue-agencys-audit-process-for-charities.html

OTTAWA, March 27, 2023 – Today, the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, released Charity Begins with Fairness: More to Explore. This report is in response to the request made by the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, in August 2021, after the Government of Canada’s National Summit on Islamophobia. The Minister asked the Ombudsperson to examine concerns raised by certain Muslim-led charities, engage other registered charities led by racialized communities about their experiences with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), and clarify the CRA’s role in national security.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2023-03-27T05:41:30-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2023/03/statement-from-the-taxpayers-ombudsperson-regarding-the-launch-of-the-2023-tax-season.html

Over the past years, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has been crucial to delivering benefits, especially COVID-19 benefits, to many Canadians, including those with low and moderate incomes. Although the paperwork can seem daunting, filing your tax return on time each year opens the door to the many benefits and credits you could be entitled to, such as the GST/HST credit and the Canada child benefit.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2023-03-08T08:10:22-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2023/01/taxpayers-ombudsperson-recommends-ways-to-improve-communication-from-the-canada-revenue-agency0.html

OTTAWA, January 24, 2023 – Today, the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, released The Lockout: Communication Was the Key. This report examined the communications the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) provided to taxpayers after it locked out some users from their CRA accounts in mid-February 2021 in an effort to protect accounts that could have been compromised. Many affected taxpayers expressed concerns about the lack of clear and timely communication from the CRA.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2023-01-24T09:29:07-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2022/12/2021-2022-annual-report-of-the-office-of-the-taxpayers-ombudsperson-the-cra-can-do-better-when-it-comes-to-communicating-with-canadians.html

Today, Canada's Taxpayers' Ombudsperson, François Boileau, released his second annual report, Service Matters: Numbers Speak Volumes, which was tabled earlier today in the House of Commons by Mr. Peter Fragiskatos, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2022-12-13T10:04:23-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2022/12/taxpayers-ombudsperson-requests-the-canada-revenue-agency-take-more-action-to-assist-canadians-fleeing-abuse-or-violence-.html

Today, Canada’s Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, François Boileau, announces a new service improvement request following his Office’s collaboration with Ending Violence Association of Canada (EVA Canada).

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2022-12-08T08:57:25-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2022/11/statement-from-canadas-taxpayers-ombudsperson-on-the-progress-of-the-examination-into-the-concerns-expressed-by-charities-about-their-experiences-w.html

Following her participation in the National Summit on Islamophobia on July 22, 2021, the Minister of National Revenue, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, asked our Office to conduct a systemic review to investigate the concerns expressed by certain charities, run by Muslims about their treatment by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), and to engage other charities led by racialized communities about their experiences with the CRA.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2022-11-22T08:28:27-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2022/10/federal-ombuds-raise-awareness-of-their-mandates-for-ombuds-day-2022.html

Canadian Federal Ombuds raise awareness of the role of ombuds and discuss Ombuds Day. Around the world, Ombuds Day is celebrated on the second Thursday in October to increase awareness about ombuds’ roles and functions. In the lead-up to Ombuds Day on October 13, 2022, media are invited to contact federal ombuds offices to discuss their respective mandates that can help Canadians gain access to the services they need.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2022-10-05T08:46:31-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2022/02/taxpayers-ombudsperson-calls-on-charities-to-come-forward-with-their-experiences-about-the-canada-revenue-agency.html

In July 2021, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, requested the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, François Boileau, examine concerns raised by certain Muslim led charities, and engage other charities led by racialized communities, about their experiences with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This was also confirmed in the mandate letter from the Prime Minister of Canada to the Minister dated December 16, 2021.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2022-02-09T08:32:11-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2021/12/taxpayers-ombudsperson-makes-five-recommendations-in-his-2020-2021-annual-report.html

Today, Canada’s Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, François Boileau, released his first Annual Report, Adapting and Delivering in Unprecedented Times, which was tabled earlier today in the House of Commons by the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue. The report provides an overview of the activities undertaken by the Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson between the period of April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2021-12-17T10:12:47-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2021/12/taxpayers-ombudsperson-requests-the-canada-revenue-agency-improve-the-information-it-provides-to-those-facing-violence.html

Today, Canada’s Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, François Boileau, announces that a service improvement request he made to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has been accepted. The request made was to improve the information it provides to those facing domestic violence, including those accessing the Canada child benefit (CCB).

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2021-12-09T13:35:00-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2021/08/the-taxpayers-ombudsperson-opens-systemic-examination-into-issues-expressed-by-muslim-led-charities.html

The Minister of National Revenue has requested that the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, François Boileau, examine the concerns expressed by the Muslim-led charities and to engage other charitable organizations led by racialized communities about their experiences with the Canada Revenue Agency.

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2021-08-05T16:50:43-04:00