News release

CCRA responds to Canadians affected by blackout

Ottawa, August 17, 2003... Elinor Caplan, Minister of National Revenue, said today that the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) will readily apply the fairness provisions of the Income Tax Act, the Excise Act, and the Customs Act to help individuals and businesses with their tax and customs obligations in the aftermath of the power outage.

"The Government is sensitive to the difficulties that people and business may have encountered in this power outage," said Minister Caplan. "Any employer or business whose payments of GST or employee deductions are late because of the lack of electricity will not have to pay penalties and interest."

The CCRA has the flexibility to use a balanced and common sense approach to help Canadians with problems that arise through no fault of their own. Employers and businesses that remit their August 15 payment late and are charged interest and penalties as a result can contact their local tax services offices to have those removed.

"In addition, I would like to reassure parents that there will be no delay in Canada Child Tax Benefit payments. These will be issued on schedule Wednesday, August 20," added the Minister.

Employers and businesses that may need more information can call our Business Window at 1-800-959-5525 or check our Web site at www.ccra.gc.ca.

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