Message from the Minister and
Accountability Statement

The Ministry of Provincial Revenue provides a central service to the Province of British Columbia for revenue and debt administration. The revenues collected by the ministry pay for vital government programs such as health care, education and transportation.

The ministry is committed to providing excellent customer service. Earlier this year, we introduced a new Taxpayer Fairness and Service Code. This Code details a taxpayer's right to timely customer service, courtesy, respect and confidentiality in all their dealings with us. Developed in partnership with small business organizations across the province, the Code embraces the culture of excellence that already exists among ministry staff. I would like to thank all parties who have worked with us on initiatives to improve our service delivery to British Columbians.

I am pleased with the advances the ministry is making in consolidating and improving revenue and debt collection. The ministry's partnership with a Canadian private sector firm will revolutionize revenue management across government. This partnership brings new opportunities for innovation and more responsibility for the ministry through the transfer of revenue management functions from other ministries. The end result: enhanced customer service, streamlined and simplified business processes, and an improvement in the total amount of revenue collected for all British Columbians.

The 2005/06–2007/08 Ministry of Provincial Revenue Service Plan was prepared under my direction in accordance with the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act. I am accountable for the basis on which the plan has been prepared. All material fiscal assumptions and policy decisions as of January 31, 2005, have been considered in preparing the plan and I am accountable for achieving its specific objectives.

Additionally, under the Balanced Budget and Ministerial Accountability Act, I am accountable for earning $225.6 million in gross revenue from audit and revenue compliance related activity in respect of revenues payable under enactments administered by the Minister of Provincial Revenue.

Service Plans are important tools in guiding ministry decisions and communicating government priorities to British Columbians. I am pleased to present this plan on behalf of the Ministry of Provincial Revenue, and I look forward to the accomplishments it will bring over the next three years.

Honourable Rick Thorpe
Minister of Provincial Revenue

Rick.Thorpe@gems2.gov.bc.ca

January 30, 2005