Madam Speaker, in general terms I reject the charge, but the law, as I have said before, does not permit me to refer to any conversation or even to acknowledge that such a conversation did or did not take place.
The question posed is very similar to the previous one, so perhaps it would be useful if I provided my second answer in French.
Consequently, there have been concerns about the capacity of charitable organizations to register to engage in public debate.
As the honourable members know, the Income Tax Act prohibits me from breaching the confidentiality of any taxpayer, so I am unable to address any concerns they may have with regards to specific organizations. I can, however, address the role of the Canada Revenue Agency in regulating charities.
I would like to remind the House that if the CRA is mandated to regulate certain aspects of charities, it does so using rules based in law that are applied consistently and fairly to all charities across this country. If the CRA is compelled to take action against a registered charity, it does so based on the actions of that charity, not on who that charity is or who it represents.
We have to be quite clear on this point. Neither the CRA nor the Government of Canada has the faintest intention of suppressing freedom of expression or freedom of speech. It is important for the honourable members to remember that registered charities enjoy significant benefits under the Income Tax Act. They are tax-exempt and able to issue official donation receipts to allow donors to claim tax relief for their donations.
In seeking and attaining registered charity status, these organizations have made a commitment and have an obligation to comply with the rules. In seeking to obtain the benefits of a charitable organization, tax exemption, the right to issue tax receipts to donors, allowing them to deduct the amount of their donations from their taxable income, churches and religious groups, which are in fact all organizations having obtained the status of registered charitable organizations, make certain commitments to Canadians.
That commitment in no way infringes on their freedom of speech or freedom of religion. The commitment is that the bulk of the funds that those organizations raise must be used for charitable purposes as defined by the law. I emphasize the word “law” because it is not up to the CRA or the Government of Canada to decide what is a charitable activity. The courts have been very clear on this. Political or religious activity is not considered by them to be a charitable activity.