Conservatives support single tax form for Quebecers

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says he would begin negotiations with Quebec to allow the province to have a single income tax return, promising to give the provinces greater respect and autonomy if he wins next year's federal election.

"A single tax return for Quebecerswill eliminate unnecessary paperwork for families and businesses," he said during an event in Quebec City after a weekend of Ftenationalecelebrations across the country.

ScheersaidQuebecers are the only ones who must prepare two tax returns; one for the federal government and one for the provincial government. They must also deal with both the Canada Revenue Agency and Revenu Qubec.

Scheer said that if he's elected, he will move away from the traditional pattern of centralized power and control in Ottawa. He accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals of taking an "Ottawa knows best" approach.

Members of the National Assembly adopted a unanimous motion last month calling on the federal government to allowQuebecto administer a single-tax system.

Quebecis the only province with an independent tax department. The province has also collected the GST inQuebecfor the federal government since the early 1990s.