BOGOTA, COLOMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 08/08/14 -- Canada Revenue Agency
The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue, met today with Dr. Christian Jaramillo, acting Director of the National Tax and Customs Agency and with Mr. Santiago Rojas Arroyo, current Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism and incoming Director of the of the National Tax and Customs Agency, to discuss the success of current economic links between Canada and Colombia, as well as the importance of ongoing international cooperation and collaboration on tax administration and trade issues.
Minister Findlay, Dr. Jaramillo, and Mr. Rojas also engaged in a productive discussion on common priorities, including targeting the underground economy. The exchange of knowledge on these topics and related strategies is beneficial for both countries. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the National Tax and Customs Agency look forward to ongoing exchanges of ideas to further enhance the effectiveness of our respective underground economy strategies and approaches.
Minister Findlay was in Colombia to attend the inauguration of President Juan Manuel Santos Calderon in Bogota on August 7, 2014, on behalf of the Government of Canada. While there, she met with Colombia's indigenous congressmen and indigenous community representatives to discuss Canada's pro-active approach to indigenous issues, including the integration of indigenous people into national and provincial economies, land control and the extractive industries, and human rights protection and promotion. She met with community representatives to show Canada's support for human rights issues in Colombia, including for members of the LGBT community, those subject to sexual and gender-based violence in the context of Colombia's armed conflict, and for the security and protection of human rights defenders.
Quick Facts
-- Canada currently has a network of 92 bilateral tax treaties and 21 tax
information exchange agreements signed and in force, all of which permit
exchange of information between signatories.
-- As a recognised global leader in tax administration, Canada benefits
from exchanging best practices and ideas with its partners.
-- The Canada-Colombia tax treaty has been in force since June 2012; it was
one of the first tax treaties negotiated by Colombia.
-- Canada and Colombia are both members of the Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development, the Global Forum on Transparency and
Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes, and Inter-American Centre of
Tax Administrations.
-- Statistics Canada estimates that in 2011 the value of underground
economy activity in Canada was as much as $41 billion, or 2.3% of the
GDP.
Quotes
"Addressing the underground economy remains a priority for our Government. We work with Canadian and international partners to identify emerging risks, understand taxpayer compliance behaviour, and identify innovative compliance treatments. The CRA uses a mix of compliance measures including research, education, outreach, communications, audit, and investigation to address the underground economy in all sectors. By sharing best practices, we can work together to address the underground economy at home and abroad."
The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue
Associated Links
Tax Treaties
Embassy of Canada to Colombia
Canada-Colombia Relations
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Contacts:
Rebecca Rogers
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Revenue
613-995-2960
Noel Carisse
Media Relations
Canada Revenue Agency
613-952-9184
