Finance Committee on Feb. 14th, 2012

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Mr. Hutchinson.

[Don Hutchinson]

This is related to a question we heard earlier, Mr. Chair and that has to do with civic responsibility. One of the benefits, if you will, to the current economic situation is that people who are accessing food banks and soup kitchens are actually volunteering to work in those places and are teaching their children about them.

We used to learn civics in high school. Most high schools don't talk about civics any more. In the church we still talk about caring for your neighbour, and other religious communities have similar types of conversations.

I think where the government could really partner well with the charitable sector would be in some type of advertising, similar to that used for the economic action plan, encouraging Canadians to get involved with the charities in their community, to get involved in various ways in the civic life of their community, whether they get involved in the municipal government or provincial government or whether they go to the local food bank or elsewhere.

Rabbi Bulka has repeatedly stated in very public settings—and I really appreciate what this man has to say—that it's not about giving back; it's about giving. And when it's about giving instead of giving back, it's not because you owe something; it's because you're moved in your heart to be compassionate toward the need of others.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Ms. Sims, you have one minute.

[Jinny Sims, NDP, Newton—North Delta, BC]

I really have to comment on a high school in my community, Princess Margaret School, which did a whole week on poverty. The kids actually had to develop a plan and do a budget, and they had to give up something that they really loved. Every one of them wrote me a letter. I'll tell you, if you were to read those letters, it would bring tears to your eyes. So we do have schools that are doing civic responsibility and are looking at issues.

But I wanted to ask one other question, if I may—

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

You have 30 seconds, so very quickly....

[Jinny Sims, NDP, Newton—North Delta, BC]

Okay, in 30 seconds, quickly, how could we be encouraging more schools? I would say that if we were to move away from the standardized testing agenda, so that we have time to do more on civic responsibility—

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Okay—

[Jinny Sims, NDP, Newton—North Delta, BC]

—then we could be doing some of that work.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

This is when a member puts me in the wonderful position of asking a very good question at the end of her time.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Is there someone who can address this very briefly?

Very briefly, Mr. Bird.

[Ian Bird]

Yes. One suggestion is that there are youth and philanthropy programs right across the country. They're in Community Foundations, but they're in other institutions, such as United Way, and I'm sure there's a connection through Big Brothers Big Sisters and almost anyone here to some kind of youth initiative to connect a school to, so....

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Thank you.

We'll go to Mr. Jean, please.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

First of all, I want to start with Mr. Bird.

In passing, you said there were great foundations up in northern Alberta. Was that what you said to me?

[Ian Bird]

That's right.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

Are you talking about Fort McMurray in particular?

[Ian Bird]

Yes, in the region of Grande Prairie, right through to northern Alberta.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

So you have a lot of response from people in that area who are donating money to foundations?

[Ian Bird]

Indeed, yes. Alberta is one of the most generous provinces in the whole country.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

In fact, we heard evidence earlier—and this is of course from my constituents—that the United Way gets more donations per capita from Fort McMurray than any other city in the country.

[Ian Bird]

Well, there you are: civic responsibility is alive and well in Fort McMurray.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

I was the chair of the Children's Health Foundation up in northern Alberta for years. In fact, we raised millions upon millions of dollars in that area for children, and we did very, very well.

But that's not my question. That was my comment, just to give back to the constituents who give so much.

[Ian Bird]

It wasn't about the oil of Elijah? Just for a second there, I thought it was.

[Brian Jean, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB]

No, not exactly.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!