Bureaucrats axed CRA organized crime unit

Bureaucrats, not politicians, made the decision to cut a special unit at Canada Revenue Agency that investigated organized crime, reports Postmedia News.

Read: CRA sent jailed mafia boss big refund

The move was meant to improve the department’s efficiency, National Revenue Minister Kerry-Lynne Findlay, told the outlet.

In the 2012 budget, the CRA committed to cutting $253.1 million from its budget. In the 2013 budget, the government announced a further cut of $60.6 million at the agency.

In 2012, the department also dedicated $8 million to revoking charitable status from organizations that spend more than 10% on political activities. So far only one organization has been penalized, Postmedia reports.