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Auditor General Slams CRA Call Centres for Inaccurate Tax Guidance

  Auditor General of Canada Karen Hogan holds a press conference at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. The Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) call centres are failing to provide Canadians with reliable tax information, according to a new report from Auditor General Karen Hogan. Between February and May 2025, Hogan’s office placed test calls to CRA contact centres and found that agents gave accurate and complete answers to individual tax questions only 17 per cent of the time . While responses to business tax or benefits inquiries were somewhat better, accuracy reached just 54 per cent , with completeness hovering around 30 per cent. The report also highlighted long wait times. Despite the CRA’s target of answering 65 per cent of calls within 15 minutes, only 18 per cent of calls met that standard. In June, fewer than five per cent were answered within the promised timeframe, with average waits stretching to more than half an hour  Hogan criticized t...

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Comprehensive Packing List for a Memorable Three-Week European Vacation


Comprehensive Packing List for a Memorable Three-Week European Vacation


P
acking for a three-week vacation careful planning to ensure you have everything you need without overpacking. Here's a comprehensive list to help you get started:


Clothing:

  • Underwear and socks (pack for about a week and plan to do laundry)
  • T-shirts/tops
  • Pants/jeans
  • Dresses/skirts (if applicable)
  • Sweaters/jackets (depending on the season)
  • Light and heavy outerwear (based on the weather)
  • Comfortable walking shoes and/or sandals
  • Formal shoes (if you plan to go to upscale restaurants or events)
  • Pajamas/sleepwear
  • Swimsuit (if your itinerary includes swimming)
  • Hat and sunglasses
  • Rain jacket or umbrella

Accessories:

  • Belts
  • Scarves
  • Jewelry (keep it minimal for security reasons)
  • Watch


Toiletries:

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Shampoo and conditioner (consider travel-sized containers)
  • Body wash or soap
  • Face cleanser and moisturizer
  • Razor and shaving cream
  • Hairbrush/comb
  • Hair styling tools (if necessary)
  • Deodorant
  • Makeup and makeup remover
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Personal medications and a small first aid kit
  • Contact lenses/glasses and solution (if applicable)


Electronics:


  • Smartphone and charger
  • Power bank
  • Camera or smartphone with a good camera
  • Laptop/tablet (if needed) and charger
  • Universal power adapter/converter


Documents and Money:

  • Passport and visa (if required)
  • Travel insurance documents
  • Driver's license (if planning to rent a car)
  • Credit/debit cards and some local currency
  • Copies of important documents (stored digitally and printed)
  • Itinerary and hotel reservation details


Miscellaneous:


  • Daypack or small backpack for daily outings
  • Travel pillow and eye mask for long flights/train rides
  • Snacks (for the journey or if you have dietary restrictions)
  • Travel guidebooks or maps
  • Language phrasebook or translation app
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Travel laundry detergent (for washing clothes)
  • Ziplock bags (for storing toiletries and liquids)
  • Compact travel umbrella
  • Entertainment (books, e-reader, games, etc.)
  • Outlet multipliers if you have multiple devices


Optional Items:


  • Yoga mat or exercise equipment
  • Travel pillow and blanket for comfort during transportation
  • Portable Wi-Fi hotspot
  • Music player and headphones
  • Souvenir shopping list (to avoid overbuying)
  • Gifts or souvenirs for friends/family back home

Remember that packing will also depend on the season and the specific destinations you plan to visit on your vacation. Be sure to adapt the list based on your personal preferences and needs. It's a good idea to pack versatile items that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits while keeping the overall luggage weight manageable.






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