Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Minister, for being here this afternoon. Thanks also to your colleagues.
I read information concerning this bill and observed that steps were undertaken almost 10 years ago. One also observes a strong interest in modernization and great transparency when it comes to structuring an organizing not-for-profit organizations.
I have to tell you that my party is in favour of the principle of the bill. However, we believe that it needs to be improved, specifically when it comes to the oversight of federal government powers and areas of jurisdiction, as well as the classification of organizations. At first glance, there are the two points with which we take issue; perhaps there are others.
I am coming to my first question about the oversight and federal government areas of jurisdiction set out in the bill, although my question deals more with the lack of a description.
Under section 92 of the Canadian Constitution, management of the social economy, volunteerism and community outreach are provincial jurisdictions. All matters of a purely local of private nature are the exclusive jurisdiction of the provinces and of Quebec. Currently, section 154 of the Canada Corporations Act stipulates that the federal government may confer upon a corporation the rights to incorporate if the corporation is pursuing objectives of national, patriotic, religious or philanthropic nature, per example.
Why does not the bill provide an oversight process in respect of the federal government's areas of jurisdiction?