Federal Election 2008

We invited all federal parties to respond to several questions about Canada's charitable sector and to provide information about their platforms as they affect the sector. We've included their responses below, edited only for length. As we hear back from more parties, we'll add their responses below.

Q1. What is your party's plan to ensure that government funding contracts with nonprofit organizations adequately support and sustain all aspects of service delivery?
Bloc Québécois	Conservative	Green	Liberal	NDP
Did not respond.	Did not respond.	Did not respond.	Liberals expect and will ensure public resources used on projects involving nonprofit organizations will be used as intended, and third parties will honour the spirit of their agreements. Violators would be investigated and, if warranted, proper legal action would be administered.	New Democrats have been active in working to improve conditions for the charity sector. Former New Democrat Leader Ed Broadbent, headed up one such review to help improve the charity sector. We would be interested in pursuing proposals to broaden support for the participation of charitable agencies such us churches, historical societies or cultural groups in public policy debate, including changes to taxation and caps on policy and advocacy. There have been a number of reviews of the regulatory framework governing charities over the years, but much more needs to be done to help this vital sector better help itself and better help Canada. We are committed to work with nonprofit organizations and strongly oppose Mr. Harper’s cuts to various programs that have affected the NGO sector. A New Democrat government is truly committed to address inequality and we would invest in core funding for programs that work to eliminate inequality in Canada. We also believe that a government has to provide adequate funding to those in need. We cannot succeed unless we work together.

 

Q2. What would your party do to improve the governance and corporate law applicable to federal nonprofits?
Bloc Québécois	Conservative	Green	Liberal	NDP
Did not respond.	Did not respond.	Did not respond.	A Liberal government would be willing to listen to and work with stakeholders to review and toughen corporate laws applicable to federal nonprofit organizations. We await the proposed changes to the Corporation Act by Industry Canada, and will work to strengthen and modernize the legislation to meet the demands of the 21st century.	Our former Leader Ed Broadbent sat as a member of the Voluntary Sector Forum, a network representing non-profit organizations and charities, when it came up with a number of proposals for the voluntary sector. New Democrats are committed to continue that work with like minded groups like yours to improve the governance and corporate law applicable to federal nonprofits.

 

Q3. How does your party plan to provide incentives for greater charitable giving by Canadians?
Bloc Québécois	Conservative	Green	Liberal	NDP
Did not respond.	Did not respond.	Did not respond.	Liberals are very supportive of charitable giving, and believe strongly in the spirit of volunteerism. Due to the precarious state of the country’s fiscal framework left by the Conservatives we have no plans at this time to offer increased tax incentives for charitable gifts donations by individuals.	In 2006, Canada’s New Democrats supported Bill S-204 on the National Philanthropy Day. Regrettably Bill S-204 did not receive Royal Assent before Parliament recessed for the summer months that year. Let me assure you that this important legislation, that would pay tribute to volunteers as a precious resource in our communities, would help to provide an incentive for greater charitable giving by Canadians and is certainly one the New Democrats support. Volunteers represent a vital component of many community services and definitely deserve to be honoured in this way.

 

Q4. What would your party do to reduce or eliminate abusive charitable tax shelters that have proliferated over the last decade and are undermining the public's confidence in charities?
Bloc Québécois	Conservative	Green	Liberal	NDP
Did not respond.	Did not respond.	Did not respond.	A Liberal government will work with the Canada Revenue Agency to enforce existing laws regarding abusive tax shelters, and restore the public’s confidence in charities by conducting audits where appropriate, and prosecuting violators to the full extent of the law.	Canada’s New Democrats believe that the abusive charitable tax shelters have no place in Canada. A number of cases have recently been covered in the media on this issue and we strongly believe that this warrants a thorough discussion as to how to deal with this proliferation of abuse that is eroding the public’s confidence in the sector. Charities are part of Canada’s strong foundation as a country and an NDP government would curtail various types of charity related tax schemes and close the loopholes that exist. We would be willing to work with your and other like- minded organizations to address this growing problem.

 

Q5. Will your party restore funding to help promote volunteerism across the country?
Bloc Québécois	Conservative	Green	Liberal	NDP
Did not respond.	Did not respond.	Did not respond.	We recognize the significant contribution that volunteers make to better Canada. A new Liberal government would support volunteers by providing a refundable tax credit of $2,000 for volunteer firefighters and emergency service workers. We will consider further funding to help promote volunteerism after reviewing the country’s fiscal framework upon taking office.	A New Democrat government will help groups like yours by investing adequate levels of funding to help promote volunteerism across the country.