CIIT Committee Report

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT BY THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA

The Conservative Party would like to thank witnesses who took the time to participate in this study. Electronic commerce represents a promising opportunity for Canadians, and the Conservatives agree with the majority of recommendations made in this report.

Witnesses recognized the potential benefits offered by the development of e-commerce, and Conservatives support recommendations which increase Internet access, provide tools for Canadians to better use e-commerce, and promote government programs that would enable smaller businesses to export products without being hindered by the complexities of international trade.

Regarding recommendations on taxation, the Conservative Party is strongly supportive of Recommendation #2. Ensuring a competitive low-tax environment for Canadian businesses will be vital to smaller businesses successfully using e-commerce.

We believe that Canada should aim to maintain a low-tax environment for consumers as well. The Conservative Party remains opposed to making Canadians pay unnecessary taxes on intangible products. A new tax on Canadians who use online video streaming services like Netflix and YouTube would not benefit Canadian small businesses – it would only create additional costs to Canadian consumers.