Bird watchers are not criminals

The NDP is concerned that instead of going after tax cheats, the Conservatives are using Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) resources to intimidate a law-abiding nature group.

A group of bird watchers from Southern Ontario received a letter from the CRA ordering them to refrain from undertaking partisan activities with the implicit threat that future audits were a possibility.

“The timing simply doesn't pass the smell test – the CRA letter arrived just days after this bird watching club wrote directly to two ministers, expressing their concern about the impact of government-approved chemicals on vulnerable bee colonies,” said NDP National Revenue critic, Murray Rankin (Victoria).

“The Conservatives’ attack on anyone who questions their short-sighted policies is ridiculous. It is also deeply disturbing,” said Rankin.