Survivor Petitions Canada to Fix Tax Debt Rules

A human trafficking survivor is seeking legislative change after her identity was used for fraudulent benefit claims.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Sex Crimes

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a grand stone archway, representing the gravity of Canadian legislative tax policy reform. — Survivor Cassandra Harvey is petitioning the Canadian House of Commons to forgive tax debts incurred through identity theft by her trafficker. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Cassandra Harvey, a human trafficking survivor based in Toronto, has launched a House of Commons petition to address tax debts incurred through identity theft. The Canada Revenue Agency continues to pursue Harvey for benefits claimed in her name by her trafficker.

Why it matters

Existing Canadian federal legislation fails to offer specific protections for trafficking survivors who are held liable for tax debts caused by identity fraud. This petition seeks to close a regulatory gap that allows the government to collect funds from victims of severe crimes.

The Canada Revenue Agency has clawed back tax returns, child tax benefits, GST, and HST from the survivor to settle debts. Legal counsel Alex Klyguine is currently seeking a formal remission order to resolve the outstanding tax liability.

The players

Cassandra Harvey

She is a human trafficking survivor who is challenging the Canada Revenue Agency over tax debts resulting from identity theft.

Danielle Martin

She is a Member of Parliament who authorized the online publication of the petition seeking legislative reform.

Alex Klyguine

He is a lawyer based in Ottawa providing legal representation to the survivor in her battle for a remission order.

The details

Harvey submitted evidence of her trafficking status to the agency, yet the government continues to seek repayment for CERB and other benefits illicitly obtained by her trafficker. Working with Member of Parliament Danielle Martin, Harvey is now utilizing a formal petition process to compel a change in how the government treats tax debts resulting from identity theft.

In September 2026, CityNews reported on Harvey's ongoing tax dispute.
In October 2026, MP Danielle Martin approved the petition for online publication.

Legal Context

The petition challenges the rigid application of the Income Tax Act, which does not currently distinguish between voluntary debt and fraud perpetrated against a victim. This highlights a broader legislative struggle to modernize tax enforcement against the realities of criminal identity theft.

This case highlights significant gaps in protection for victims of identity theft, which could impact how other Canadians navigate agency disputes. The outcome of the petition may determine if the government updates its protocols for forgiving tax debts tied to verified criminal activity.

The takeaway

This petition underscores the challenges survivors face when navigating administrative systems designed for standard tax compliance. It serves as a reminder that legislative reform is often required to ensure that victimhood is properly acknowledged by federal revenue agencies.

What happens next

The petition will remain open for signatures, and Parliament will be required to consider the submission once the threshold for official response is reached.