Yes, sir. Terrific. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Good afternoon, everybody.
I am pleased to discuss Bill C-13, an act to implement certain provisions of the budget, on behalf of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals, AFP, represents over 28,000 individual professionals across 180 chapters throughout the world. In Canada we have 2,700 registered association professionals, of which I am the past chair of the association.
We are extremely pleased with the changes in the tax treatment of the gifts to charities proposed in the recent budget, and AFP applauds the federal government's leadership and all parties for the commitment to eliminate the capital gains exemption on marketable securities. AFP has championed this particular proposal over the course of the last nine years, and to see it through this year was very gratifying.
In a recent report from TD Economics, it was estimated that this type of giving might increase by as much as 50%. As you recall, the Prime Minister noted in a recent address made on May 24 that this tax incentive has already sparked a $50 million charitable gift to a foundation in Ontario. In fact, the Globe and Mail covered another gift yesterday for $37 million, given this particular provision in terms of building capacity.
There are major donors across the country who have been waiting tor this type of incentive so they can also make their gifts to all different levels and types of charities. The opportunity for charities to build their capacity and expand the programs has now multiplied, thanks to all of you from all parties in agreeing to this particular provision.
It is important for the government to show that it supports the charitable sector because non-profits play such a significant part in our economy. In 1999 Statistics Canada estimated that the economic contribution of the sector was 6.8% of gross domestic product, greater than some business sectors, including both agriculture and automotive manufacturing.
There are more than 81,000 registered non-profits in Canada that receive approximately $10 billion in contributions annually, according to Statistics Canada. In a recent Cornerstone of Community: Highlights of the National Survey of Non-profit and Voluntary Organizations study, the non-profit sector posted $112 billion in revenues in 2003 and employed more than two million. In addition, these organizations draw in two-billion volunteer hours across our country and the equivalent of one-million full-time jobs.
AFP strongly urges the federal government and all parties for your support to pass Bill S-204, recently introduced, that would create a government-recognized national philanthropy day. It is important to note that government recognition would require no funding for this particular bill. Supporting the national charitable sector through such a national day is important for several reasons: giving to charities can help both the provinces and the federal government; and national philanthropy day is a special day to set aside, on November 15, to recognize and pay tribute to the great contributions in philanthropy each day.
Thank you very much for your time today. I appreciate it.