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Repsheet Canada

C-31

Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 1

Details

Full Title
An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on February 11, 2014 and other measures
First Reading
March 28, 2014, Parliament 41, Session 2
Type
House Government Bill
Full Content
https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/41-2/c-31

Summary

The Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 1, is a comprehensive bill that makes changes to several areas of Canadian law. It was approved on June 19, 2014. The main goal of the bill is to put into action some parts of the budget that was presented to Parliament on February 11, 2014. It also includes other actions the government wants to take.

Issues

Economy

  • Inflation and Cost of Living

    Part 3 of the bill adjusts the excise duty on tobacco to account for inflation.

  • Jobs

    Division 10 of Part 6 discusses the dissolution of the Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, and the transfer of employees to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Division 30 of Part 6 enacts the Apprentice Loans Act, to provide financial assistance to apprentices.

  • Taxation

    Part 1 of the bill includes changes to the Income Tax Act. These changes include increasing the amount you can claim for adoption expenses, adding new expenses to the medical expense tax credit, and introducing a tax credit for search and rescue volunteers. It also changes some rules around donations of land, and revokes exemptions for tax shelters. It gives the Minister of National Revenue more power to refuse or revoke the registration of charities that accept donations from state supporters of terrorism. Part 2 makes changes to GST/HST rules including expanding exemptions for certain health services and medical devices. Part 3 addresses excise tax, and measures to ensure accurate tax returns. Part 5 enacts the Canada-United States Enhanced Tax Information Exchange Agreement Implementation Act, and requirements for reporting information.

  • Spending

    This bill authorizes spending for a variety of measures, including payments for veterans affairs, and apprentice loans.

Social Services

  • Healthcare

    Part 2 of the bill expands the GST/HST exemption for services by acupuncturists and naturopathic doctors, and for training that assists individuals with disorders or disabilities. It also expands the medical expense tax credit to include the cost of individualized therapy plans and service animals for people with severe diabetes.

  • Seniors and Pensions

    Part 1 expands the circumstances in which members of underfunded pension plans can benefit from unreduced pension-to-RRSP transfer limits.

Environment

  • Environmental Protection

    Part 1 includes extending the carry-forward period to 10 years for certain donations of ecologically sensitive land.

  • Energy

    Part 4 reduces the duty on mobile offshore drilling units used in oil and gas exploration and development.

Social Justice

  • Immigration and Integration

    Division 20 of Part 6 amends the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to require certain applications be made electronically, and clarifies requirements related to the expression of interest regime. Division 27 of Part 6 amends the Old Age Security Act to prevent the payment of Old Age Security income-tested benefits for the entire period of a sponsorship undertaking.

  • Income Inequality and Poverty

    Part 1 eliminates the need for individuals to apply for the GST/HST credit, allowing the Minister of National Revenue to automatically determine eligibility.

  • Racism

    Division 21 of Part 6 amends the Public Service Labour Relations Act to clarify that an adjudicator may grant systemic remedies when it has been determined that the employer has engaged in a discriminatory practice.

Security and Defense

  • Crime

    Part 1 allows the disclosure of taxpayer information to a police organization in certain circumstances if the information relates to a serious offence. Parts 2 and 3 improve the CRA's ability to provide feedback to the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, and also permit the disclosure of GST/HST and excise information to a police organization if the information relates to a serious offence. Division 19 of Part 6 amends the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act to enhance client identification, record keeping and registration requirements for financial institutions and intermediaries, refer to online casinos, and extend the application of the Act to persons and entities that deal in virtual currencies and foreign money services businesses.

  • Defense

    Division 7 of Part 6 amends the National Defence Act to recognize the historic names of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force.