OTTAWA—The federal revenue agency can now hand the police possible evidence of serious crime — including — that it happens to come across while reviewing taxpayer files.

Canada Revenue Agency gained the little-noticed new authority, which does not require a judicial warrant, through an amendment tucked into the government’s most recent omnibus budget bill.

Confidentiality provisions in the law previously prevented the agency from taking the initiative and handing information about suspected wrongdoing to law enforcement.

The exception was information that pointed to tax-related crimes.

The new provisions apply to a range of specific offences including breaking and entering, vehicle theft, arson, corruption and kidnapping.

Lawyer Glen Jennings says the list of offences is disturbingly broad and amounts to a fundamental change in the relationship between the revenue agency and taxpayers.

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