|
Released: 30 April, 1998
Revenue Minister Announces Release Of Advisory Committee Report On Electronic Commerce
Ottawa, April 30, 1998...The
Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of National Revenue and M.P. (Vancouver
South-Burnaby), today released the Report of the Minister's Advisory Committee
on Electronic Commerce.
The report is an important
component of Canada's emerging electronic commerce strategy being developed by
Industry Canada. The Honourable John Manley, Minister of Industry, joined Mr.
Dhaliwal today for the report's release.
The Revenue Minister's
Advisory Committee, which is made up of representatives from both the private
and public sectors, examined the growth of electronic commerce in commercial and
financial activities and its implications on tax administration both
domestically and internationally.
"Increased use of
electronic systems in commercial activities, including the Internet, makes it
important that Revenue Canada review the administration of the tax system to
ensure that tax laws are applied appropriately in an electronic commerce
environment. The Department wants to ensure that the integrity of Canada's tax
base continues to be maintained," said Mr. Dhaliwal.
The report makes a series of
recommendations on what can be done to ensure that electronic commerce does not
result in any undue erosion of tax revenue, and that appropriate revenues from
electronic commerce activities are collected. It also calls for a progressive
approach to electronic commerce, one that would see Canada build on its already
recognized expertise in advanced computer and electronic data activities.
Industry Canada is presently
developing a domestic and international strategy for electronic commerce which
is an integral component of the Government's Connecting Canadians initiative.
"We are engaged with other federal departments, provinces, territories, and
the private sector on a comprehensive agenda to build trust, define the rules
and provide access to the social and economic benefits electronic commerce
provides," said Industry Minister John Manley.
"Taxation is one of the
issues that makes up part of the domestic agenda and this report will be of
great assistance in future discussions with the private sector and other levels
of government" stated Mr. Manley.
The report will be the
subject of ongoing consultations with industry, professional organizations, and
government over the coming months. "By working closely with our partners in
the private sector, we will aim to ensure that Canada derives the full benefits
of electronic commerce and that it plays a leading role in establishing a proper
and consistent tax environment for its growth internationally," said Mr.
Dhaliwal.
From October 7 to 9, the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Government
of Canada will hold a ministerial conference on electronic commerce in Ottawa.
The report will provide a good basis for discussions at the conference where
governments and the private sector will have the opportunity to work on
establishing a stable environment for global electronic commerce. The Ottawa
conference is expected to be a major milestone in the international community's
efforts to maximize the economic and social benefits offered by electronic
commerce.
The Advisory
Committee's report, this news release, and its accompanying background documents
are available on the Internet at /ecomm.
Printed copies of these documents
are available from:
Distribution Operations
Room 114
555 MacKenzie Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0L5
Tel: (613) 941-2406
Fax: (613) 941-6206
Written comments on the report
can be sent to:
Director General
Audit Directorate
Verification, Enforcement, and Compliance Research Branch
123 Slater Street, Room 200
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0L5
For media information, contact:
|
Jennifer
Sloan
Press Secretary
Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001
|
|
