Canada's Taxpayers' Ombudsman, Sherra Profit, announced Dec. 10 that she has opened an examination into the impact of the Canada Revenue Agency's (CRA) administration of the Canada child benefit (CCB).

Profit's report “will examine service issues that undermine the Federal Government's commitment to ensuring that all who qualify receive the benefits to which they are entitled,” says a statement from the Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsman.

The report will delve into difficulties proving entitlement, validation processes, and the information available to benefit applicants and recipients, says the statement.

The Ombudsman will provide recommendations to the Minister of National Revenue “on how the CRA can improve service and reduce the compliance burden, which disproportionately impacts our most vulnerable,” says the statement.

Can have negative impacts on people's lives

"How the CRA administers the CCB can have negative impacts on people's lives. When benefits are denied, cancelled or recovered, the risk of personal and financial hardships increase, especially for those who rely upon the CCB for day to day living" says Profit.

Throughout her tenure as Taxpayers' Ombudsman, Profit says she has heard regularly from stakeholders about service challenges associated with the administration of the CCB program, and has provided ongoing feedback, recommendations and input to the Minister of National Revenue and the CRA on service gaps and the changes that could reduce or eliminate them. Despite these efforts, proving and maintaining eligibility for the CCB remains an issue for many and continues to be a source of complaints, says the Ombudsman.