Taxpayers' Ombudsperson Investigates Delays in Canada Child Benefit Payments to Temporary Residents

The Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, led by François Boileau, has initiated a systemic examination to address issues that may be hindering timely Canada child benefit (CCB) payments to some temporary residents.

 

Temporary residents, authorized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for various purposes such as study, work, or visitation, are generally eligible for the CCB in their 19th month of continuous residency in Canada. However, the Ombudsperson's office has identified potential disruptions in CCB payments to this group.

 

The examination will scrutinize the processing times of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the exchange of information between IRCC and the CRA. Additionally, it aims to pinpoint service enhancements to ensure uninterrupted CCB payments to all eligible temporary residents.

 

Mr. Boileau emphasized the importance of fairness in this review and the potential to recommend measures to the CRA to prevent similar issues in the future.

 

The Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson operates independently from the CRA and serves to improve the agency's service to taxpayers and benefit recipients. It addresses individual complaints and systemic issues affecting multiple individuals or population segments.

 

In a statement, Mr. Boileau highlighted the dual role of the CRA in tax collection and benefit administration. He stressed the necessity for the CRA to exert equal effort in ensuring all eligible individuals receive their entitled benefits and credits as it does in tax collection.

 

The examination comes as a response to concerns over service rights outlined in the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, ensuring the CRA's adherence to its obligations in providing services to Canadians.