Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will move amendment NDP-48.
Amendment NDP-48 refers to the fact that Bill C-23 has increased the maximum contribution by individuals to $1,500 from $1,200, which represents a 25% increase. This is one of the provisions that we express concern about, because although to some it may feel like a small amount, it is 25%, $300 more.
We had testimony from a professor from UNB who indicated that in fact wealthier Canadians make up the vast majority of those making donations above $200. Being able to give an extra $300 on top of $1,200 is actually something that will disproportionately favour wealthier Canadians for whom that extra bit is not a big deal. It probably will be enhanced by the fact that there do not appear to be any consequential tax amendments, so there are no extra tax credits available. Anybody giving that extra money would be doing it strictly out of their own pocket.
We do feel that this actually belies the government's claim, at least the minister's claim, that somehow this bill gets rid of big money. There are attempts—I will give him credit for that—in the banking section. We feel their attempts went wrong. They actually won't accomplish the goal, but that was an attempt. Here it's absolutely contrary to the purpose, as is the big provision that would have exempted fundraising expenses for previous donors, which I know the government is now intending to remove. We'll only get to that after five o'clock. Nonetheless, issues of big money and money politics were created by Bill C-23, and this indeed is one of them.
We are moving that the $1,500 individual donation across four different categories be returned to what it currently is, which is $1,200.