June 17, 1999
(Government Services and Lands)

Ottawa and Newfoundland and Labrador harmonize their annual information returns for registered pension plans

Herb Dhaliwal, National Revenue Minister and MP (Vancouver South-Burnaby) and Ernest McLean, Newfoundland and Labrador's Minister of Government Services and Lands and Walter Noel, Newfoundland and Labrador's Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs announced today that an agreement has been signed to allow pension plan administrators to file a single annual information return for the province, instead of separate federal and provincial returns.

Under this agreement, Revenue Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador's Pension Benefit Standards Division are combining their annual information returns. Plan administrators can file the federal component of the return with Newfoundland and Labrador at the same time as the provincial return, using the plan year as a reference period instead of the calender year. The information will then be shared by both regulators.

"The signing of this agreement demonstrates that our government is committed to increasing the efficiency of services for the citizens of this province wherever possible," said Mr. McLean. "We are pleased to help streamline the process for filing pension plan returns."

Mr. Dhaliwal said: "This type of initiative is an example of inter-governmental partnership fostering improved services for the benefit of all Canadians. This agreement is also an example of the same cooperative and productive spirit underlying the creation of the proposed Canada Customs and Revenue Agency."

Mr. Noel pointed out that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is always seeking ways to cooperate with other governments to streamline processes for business and consumers.

"The joint annual information return cuts time and paper-work requirements. It also reduces costs for administrators as well as expenses for both federal and provincial governments," added Mr. McLean.

Joint filing is now available for all plans with a plan year-end after December 30, 1998.

Media contact:

Rick Callahan
Director of Communications
Department of Government Services and Lands
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
(709) 729-4860

Ron Fitzpatrick
Special Assistant (Communications)
Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat
Executive Council
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
(709) 729-7007

Michel Cleroux
Revenue Canada
Communications Branch
(613) 957-3504

For technical information, contact:

Winston Morris
Superintendant of Pensions
Department of Government Services and Lands
Commercial and Corporate Affairs
Insurance and Pensions Division
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
(709) 729-2571

Bob Searle
Revenue Canada
Registered Plans Division
(613) 954-0406

1999 06 17 2:30 p.m.