Finance Committee on Dec. 6th, 2010

Evidence of meeting #51 for Finance in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was charities.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Bill C-470, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (revocation of registration)

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Alain Pineau National Director, Canadian Conference of the Arts

Terry Anne Boyles Vice-President, Public Affairs, Association of Canadian Community Colleges

Gary Bizzo As an Individual

Tom Closson President and Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Hospital Association

Paul Davidson President, Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada

Alan Dean Vice-President, Board of Governors (volunteer), National Office, Canadian Red Cross

Sharon Dymond Chair, Board of Directors, World Vision Canada

Terrance Carter Chair, National Charities and Not-for-Profit Law Section, Canadian Bar Association

Ken Berger President and Chief Executive Officer, Charity Navigator

Don McCreesh Chair of the Board, Imagine Canada

Mark Blumberg Partner, Blumberg Segal LLP, Association of Fundraising Professionals

Katherine van Kooy President and Chief Executive Officer, Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations

Patsy Anderson Chair, Board of Directors, SickKids Foundation

Joan Jardin Treasurer, Kingston and District Labour Council

5:30 p.m.

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC

Here is a quick question for you. Are we missing something, if we don't go after subcontractors? You told us that this might be a technique that could be used. Whether it's a lawyer siphoning off a huge salary in a contractual form or what Mr. Wallace just described, somebody with a way of having a package.... As I listened to Madame Anderson giving us her explanation about the package, I gathered that it was a composite, but included a whole bunch of things.

Are we missing something in our definition?

5:30 p.m.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Charity Navigator

Ken Berger

Absolutely, but I think the point is that there is going to be a never-ending number of creative ideas for ways to scam the public. Whatever you do, there will be these kinds of iterations, and it could go on and on. That doesn't take away from the value of what you're proposing, but the iterations are almost endless. You know, it's as if you squeeze the balloon, and then it's on the top—you know: it pops out.

Nonetheless, we've seen a substantial reduction in the amount of abuse when the light is shone on this kind of thing.

5:30 p.m.

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC

This area definitely needs some light, and this is a non-partisan approach. We're from different political parties, but I honestly say that my colleague Madame Guarnieri has really shown that something has to be done. All of the presentations today and all of the different attempts to say that there's this security issue or there's that, and “don't do this to us, this will hurt”, have convinced me more than ever that she's right. My support for this is a lot stronger at the end of this exercise than it was at the beginning.

I would like to ask Madame Anderson to give me an explanation of one thing she mentioned. She said, and I quote, that the clause that would be left in this statute would be “interfering with the ability to raise money”. Is it a fair interpretation that the disclosure of the top salaries would interfere? That was your expression, but maybe it came at the end of your presentation.

5:35 p.m.

Chair, Board of Directors, SickKids Foundation

Patsy Anderson

I don't think that was me—“interfering”?

5:35 p.m.

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC

It was. Yes, it was interfering with the ability to raise money.

If that's not one of your concerns, you can say that as well.

5:35 p.m.

Chair, Board of Directors, SickKids Foundation

Patsy Anderson

No, that's not....

I'm not concerned. I have met with many donors who have a thorough understanding of our cost structure and the sophistication and complexity of our foundation. They're very supportive of our compensation.

5:35 p.m.

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC

Let me ask you the question another way.

Do you have any hesitation whatsoever in supporting our common purpose to at least declare the top five salaries above $100,000? Do you have any problem with that?

5:35 p.m.

Chair, Board of Directors, SickKids Foundation

Patsy Anderson

None.

5:35 p.m.

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC

Thank you. That's a clear answer.

That's good. Thank you.

5:35 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative James Rajotte

Thank you.

I want to thank all of you for being with us here today. Clearly, your concerns have been heard by committee members.

If you have anything additional, as Mr. Pacetti said, in terms of specific wording, the committee will be doing clause-by-clause examination of this bill on Wednesday. We would appreciate receiving suggestions as soon as possible. I will ensure that all members receive the information.

Thank you all for being here.

Colleagues, the meeting is adjourned.