Some former clients of Earl Jones say the government is dragging its heels on $2 million in aid for tax payments they had been promised.
In July, the federal government said it would help Jones's former investors who have paid taxes on interest and capital gains on investments they made with Jones over the years. Many investors say they never earned anything on those investments, and should be reimbursed for that money.
"We don't know what the delays are," Kevin Curran, the son of an alleged victim, told CTV's Rob Lurie. "The concept is not all that complex. If interest was never earned, it should not be taxed."
Canada's Revenue Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn issued a statement saying the following:
"The taxpayer relief provisions provide me the discretion to waive or cancel all or part of penalties and interest when taxpayers are unable to meet their tax obligations due to extraordinary circumstances."
Investors were told to make an amended tax claim and assured their cases would be given priority. Since September, 80 ex-clients filed amendments with Ottawa, totalling close to $2 million.
Investors have been waiting on their claims since then.
"They don't seem to know how to process all the claims we've been sending in, however the claims are relatively simple," said accountant Robin Whitrod, who has been calling the revenue departments on a weekly basis.
Curran said he has repeatedly been assured by federal and provincial politicians.
"I see the political will is there, but the system bogs the process down," said Curran.
Ann Davidson of the West Island Community Resource Centre said some investors are in dire need of the money.
"Right from the beginning we said we were not looking for a bailout, but the fact is there are many who don't have any cash-flow at all," said Davidson.
