Acting on ATIP

Recommendations

Based on the foregoing, the Taxpayers’ Ombudsman recommends that the CRA:

1. Ensure that the ATIP Directorate has efficient processes and adequate resources to reduce the backlog and process information requests in a timely manner;
2. Promote the use of informal disclosure internally;
3. Develop and communicate to its personnel clear policies and procedures for informal disclosure;
4. Provide enhanced training to its personnel with regard to informal requests for information, particularly in the program areas that receive the most requests;
5. Provide more complete information publicly to taxpayers about informal requests for information through its Web site, publications, and telephone enquiry lines;
6. Advise requestors when the extended deadline will not be met for their request and it will fall into deemed-refusal status; and
7. Continue and enhance the release of completed access to information requests through its virtual reading room, and update its communication products in order to raise awareness of this service.