Evidence of meeting #49 for Finance in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was charities.
A video is available from Parliament.
1:40 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
This is really disgraceful behaviour on the part of the member. He knows what's appropriate in a committee, and one of the things that are appropriate is that rather than berating witnesses, we ask the questions. It's very inappropriate behaviour, and I hope you bring him to bear, Mr. Chair.
Thank you.
1:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
I've interrupted Mr. Vaughan a couple of times, Mr. Julian, but I've seen this kind of questioning from all sides during this hearing process, I might admit.
Mr. Vaughan, you have a last question.
1:40 p.m.
Liberal
Adam Vaughan Liberal Spadina—Fort York, ON
The last question is on your inability to assess charitable work in Quebec—
1:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
I'll give you time to answer that, Ms. Bahen, but we'll get the last question first.
1:40 p.m.
Liberal
Adam Vaughan Liberal Spadina—Fort York, ON
On your inability to fairly assess charitable activity in Quebec and the fact that out of the top 100 in Canada, only five are in Quebec and only two are francophone-serving, would you share my assessment of your work as being incomplete in Quebec? In fact, you have no capacity to assess Quebec charities because you actually don't assess Quebec charities.
1:40 p.m.
Liberal
1:40 p.m.
Managing Director, Charity Intelligence Canada
Quebec is a very important part of Canada, and we have research reports on 80 of Quebec's largest charities. We work with donors in Quebec and private foundations in Quebec and—
1:40 p.m.
Liberal
1:40 p.m.
Managing Director, Charity Intelligence Canada
There are definite cultural differences we are seeing. When we look at Australian and British charities, their annual reports have much more detailed information about a charity's operations, compared to those in Canada. We also look across Canada, and we see much higher transparency in Alberta. In Quebec, one of the largest issues we have is that many Quebec charities do not post audited financial statements on their website, despite receiving upwards of $5 million to $10 million in donations.
Our rating highly values financial transparency; 98% of Canadian donors expect charities to be financially transparent, and we will continue to work with Quebec charities to improve their financial transparency.
1:40 p.m.
Liberal
1:40 p.m.
Director of Research, Charity Intelligence Canada
There have been questions about our assessments, and we love to learn. At Charity Intelligence, we love to learn and we love to hear what others have to say about our analysis, so thank you very much for the feedback. We will take that back and discuss it internally.
1:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Wayne Easter
With that, thank you for appearing today, Ms. Bahen and Mr. Thomson, and for answering our questions—intense questioning at times. We have that from all sides at this committee, I might admit, and that goes with the territory.
Thank you all.
The meeting is adjourned.