The Supreme Court of Canada decision a few days ago that rejected an appeal by the Canada Revenue Agency in a case against Cameco should be a red flag for anyone elected to public office in this country.
It should be a wake-up call for politicians of all stripes and at all levels that they have a duty to remind their officials who they work for.
The Cameco story is probably the most egregious example of bureaucrats out of control that the country has ever offered as successive courts told the CRA that their case was not only without merit but they did so in no uncertain terms. Yet, the Revenue agency refused to accept it was wrong and continued to appeal…placing its needs above those of the citizenry who hired them and pays their salaries. It took the highest court in the land to straighten them out. And even so they are continuing to look at other taxation years in this case.
In reality, the tone is set at the top and until politicians actually embrace the concept of Citizen First, this type of activity will become more common at all levels.