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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, F eb ru ar y 22 , 2 01 8 |16 OPINION P A V A S Performing and Visual Arts SchooL • S p e c ia lty C a m p s • In ten s ive M u sic & A rt • S m all G roup S izes • C a m e ra V iew in g o f all S tud io s Ma r c h 12 - 16, 9 a m - 4 pm Extended hours available - Ages 3-14 1 M f «%%%=k ▼ a i i z ! » - - m k • B efo re & A fte r C a re • End o f W e e k P e rfo rm a n c e s • Friend ly Q u a lified In s tru c to rs ASK U S A B O U T S U M M E R CAMPS! Performing and Visual Arts School • Art, Music, Drama and Dance STUDIO PAVAS 905-403-9435 1-2301 ROYAL WINDSOR DRIVE, MISSISSAUGA WWW.studiopavas.com info@studiopavas.com The CRA is cracking down on tax evasion 'Whistleblowers can play positive role in fairness of tax collection,' writes Watson Canadians get upset when they think the wealthy get special tax treatment. Getting special treatment is changing. As part of the government's plan to clampdown on people who intentionally avoid paying taxes, the Canada Revenue Agency is revising the Voluntary Disclosures Program (VDP). Under the old program, non-compliant taxpayers could come clean to the CRA without worrying about prosecution or civil penalties, despite the fact PETER WATSON Column that they may have used creative, and sometimes aggressive, tax avoidance strategies. As of March 1, the re­ vised VDP will come into effect. Changes will nar­ row the eligibility of the program and impose addi­ tional conditions on appli­ cants. It appears the CRA is transitioning from pas­ sive to proactive with re­ spect to tax collection. The public became more aware of tax avoidance schemes with the release of the Panama and Para­ dise Papers in 2016 and 2017. These two massive leaks of confidential fi­ nancial records sent shock waves around the world, and had the CRA vowing to investigate new evidence of offshore tax evasion. Hackers and whistle­ blowers can play a posi­ tive role in the fairness of tax collection. The CRA's Report to Parliament 2014- 15 stated VDP income topped $1.3 billion, $780 million of which came from offshore. Both num­ bers were up substantial­ ly from the previous year. So why the change? Our government is now dealing from a position of strength in tracking down aggressive and illegal tax avoidance strategies. They have better informa- • See GOVERNMENT, page 17 http://WWW.studiopavas.com mailto:info@studiopavas.com PETER WATSON