PACP Committee News Release
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Standing Committee on Public Accounts |
HOUSE OF COMMONS CHAMBRE DES COMMUNES OTTAWA, CANADA K1A 0A6 |
Comité permanent des comptes publics |
For immediate release
NEWS RELEASE
Government Departments Potentially Overcharging Canadians for User Fees
Ottawa, May 13, 2009 -
Federal departments are not adequately managing user fees, which could lead to excessive charges, according to a report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts presented in the House of Commons today by Chair Shawn Murphy, MP.
The federal government charges the public and industry over 220 fees for such things as licenses for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and permits for newcomers to study or work in Canada. These fees generated about $1.9 billion in revenues in 2006-07.
An audit by the Office of the Auditor General found that some departments did not have adequate systems in place to determine the costs associated with the fees, and one department miscalculated the costs, which led to Canadians being overcharged. Departments also are not reporting sufficient information to allow Canadians to monitor their performance with respect to fees.
The Public Accounts Committee is concerned that departments may be using inappropriate calculations to determine the costs associated with fees and thereby overcharging Canadians. Indeed, there are currently several class action lawsuits against the government for overpayments for user fees. In order to ensure that fees are consistently managed, the Committee recommended that the government develop a comprehensive policy on the management of fees.
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