Finance Committee on May 29th, 2012

[Bob Linton]

Yes.

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Thank you.

So you have no problem in stating that “UFCW Canada looks forward to campaigning with Thomas [Mulcair] to elect the country's first labour-friendly federal government”, and that you are encouraging your members to “download and distribute the union's official poster for the Thomas Mulcair...campaign.”

How much money do you give the NDP?

[Bob Linton]

Federally, we don't give them any money.

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Thank you.

How many of your members were delegates to the leadership convention?

[Bob Linton]

I'm sorry, I can't answer that. I don't have that number on hand.

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

In the spirit of transparency, do you believe that trade unions should be paying taxes?

[Bob Linton]

If you're talking about Bill C-377—

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

I'm just asking you if they should be paying taxes.

[Bob Linton]

We're a non-profit corporation, so why should we be treated any differently than anyone else?

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

You're not a charitable organization; you're a non-profit. A non-profit is a legal entity. A non-profit can make a profit. Its revenues can exceed expenses, therefore there can be a profit. So should you be paying taxes on that profit like every other corporation in this country does?

[Bob Linton]

We don't make profits.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

You have about 30 seconds.

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Are your books open for all to see?

[Bob Linton]

Our membership?—

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Do we know how much you make?

[Bob Linton]

Sorry?

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Does your membership know what your salary is?

[Bob Linton]

Yes, it's there.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Point of order, Ms. Nash.

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

I don't ever remember any witness coming to any committee and being asked by a member of Parliament how much he or she makes. I don't think that's an appropriate question.

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

That's not what I'm asking.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Order, order.

[Mark Adler, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

It's not what I'm asking.

[Peggy Nash, NDP, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

It's what I heard you ask.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Order, order.