Mr. Speaker, I understand the member's frustration in this regard because in fact the public information return filed by registered charities is available to the public in accordance with section 149.1(5) of the Income Tax Act. However we cannot divulge information on non-profit organizations in accordance with the confidentiality provisions contained in subsection 241(1) of the Income Tax Act.
One of the reasons for the differences between them is that they cannot issue tax receipts. They do not have to register provincially or federally to maintain their status. They have no requirement to disburse a certain percentage of their income.
I will take the hon. member's question as a representation that the law could in fact be changed.