Finance committee  I was thinking of programs like that, but also across the board, beyond just the trades, into continuing education, companies that provide either corporate training or individually based training to help them gain and increase skills and therefore become more productive. It could be tax credits or some kind of program like that.

Finance committee  Our idea as to duration is to propose that it be an indefinite extension, in the sense that if we wish our Canadian companies to be competitive globally and continually reinvesting in productivity to compete at a global level, this is a program that will incent companies to do so.

Finance committee  I think that's an excellent point you raise. The approach we really proposed with the Poverty Reduction Coalition is what I would call a suite of solutions regarding affordable housing, because there isn't really one direct solution. It's not necessarily all about new building or new construction; it's not all about rental subsidies.

Finance committee  I can't speak to whether there have been significant increases in the amount of land donated to conservation activities because of the tax benefit accrued to the donation of land, but I think anyone really considering the situation should examine it. The tax benefit as a result of donating land to a conservation society is greater than one donating to an organization that creates perpetually affordable housing.

Finance committee  I'll give my best interpretation of the situation. My understanding is that yes, when you donate land, for the purposes of the donation, the land is assessed at fair market value. Then you are taxed on the capital gains between purchase and the donation, but you are given a tax credit for a portion of the value that you have donated to the charitable organization.

Finance committee  Correct.

Finance committee  Thank you very much. I am Adam Legge, volunteer committee chair for the Poverty Reduction Coalition. It's a community collaborative, supported by the United Way of Calgary and Area, that aims to reduce poverty in Calgary. We work collaboratively with all orders of government, the business community, social service organizations, and community members.