Gord Brown

[Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, May 5th, 2009]

Madam Speaker, as a board member of the United Way in Leeds—Grenville since the year 2000, I understand very well the challenges that the not-for-profit sector has to face.

The committee spent a great deal of time listening to witnesses who came before the committee. There were in excess of 300 clauses in the bill. I did address in my presentation that a great deal of time was spent going through the various challenges that the non-for-profit sector is facing.

Many of the things brought forward in the bill would help alleviate the very questions that the hon. member has asked in terms of making it much easier for not-for-profit corporations to operate, but also there would be far more accountability and it would instill more confidence in Canadians in what they do and, hopefully, will make them more generous in their contributions to these various not-for-profit corporations.

[Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, May 5th, 2009]

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have this opportunity to address the House on the third reading of Bill C-4, An Act respecting not-for-profit corporations and certain other corporations.

First of all, I would like to thank the chair, the member for Wellington—Halton Hills, and the rest of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, the committee on which I sit, for the committee's hard work in the examination of this piece of legislation. The extensive bill we were required to study dealt with highly complex subject matter, and the time and the seriousness for which the committee approached the task are greatly appreciated.

I would also like to thank all those who appeared before the committee to make comments and suggestions. In studying this bill, the committee was able to draw on the collective expertise of these witnesses, which allowed it to improve the bill through a number of amendments based directly on their recommendations.

This bill, which was returned to the House by the committee, is an important step forward for the volunteer and not-for-profit sectors in Canada in terms of governance.

The corporations that will benefit from Bill C-4 touch on all aspects of our lives. Some are charitable organizations, others represent groups of individuals or companies or provide services for their members or for their communities regardless of their mission or size. All of these organizations will benefit from the provisions of the new Canada not-for-profit corporations act.

It must be remembered that the current legislative framework for federally incorporated not-for-profit corporations has not been substantially altered in over 90 years. As a result, the current legislative framework imposes an administrative and financial burden on the organizations involved. Bill C-4 proposes that this framework be replaced by new legislation, the Canada not-for-profit corporations act, which will help alleviate those burdens.

Under the new legislation, incorporating a not-for-profit organization would only take a few days and would involve very little paperwork. The requirements imposed upon these corporations would be reduced to the strict minimum to ensure good governance depending on their size and objectives. The new act will give not-for-profit organizations the flexibility they need to concentrate on their mission. For example, these organizations and their members will finally be able to make full use of modern electronic means to communicate and to hold their assemblies and meetings.

The new act will provide a modern governance framework for the volunteer sector based on member accountability that will allow it to fully play its role. Members will be equipped with the tools they need to effectively manage their organizations. They will also be able to take appropriate measures to correct certain situations when necessary.

In addition, the governance framework will provide the Canadian public with a means of ensuring that sums of money raised are used appropriately and in a responsible manner, which should help boost Canadians' level of trust in not-for-profit corporations.

In order to be able to operate, most not-for-profit corporations count on the support of Canadians from all walks of life. Millions of Canadians are either employed directly in the not-for-profit sector or volunteer their time. In one way or another, they do this to help not-for-profit corporations.

Coming at a time when the expectations of the Canadian public and the members of these organizations have never been higher, the proposed new governance structure in the Canada not-for-profit corporations act will greatly clarify the roles and responsibilities of the directors and officers of the corporations.

The clear duty of care and the due diligence defence against liabilities will help ensure that federal not-for-profit corporations will continue to be equipped to recruit and retain the services of energetic and talented individuals as officers and directors.

For all these reasons, this bill is long overdue. During the committee hearings on Bill C-4, a number of witnesses stated that this new bill would greatly improve the governance system and legal framework of not-for-profit corporations and corporations without share capital in Canada. All agreed on the need to pass Bill C-4, some insisting that it be done quickly.

When such an important framework statute that affects our economy is being modernized and updated, certainty as to how the changes will come about and be enforced is of great importance to all stakeholders.

The government recognizes this and will take concrete steps to help the not-for-profit sector to transition into the new act. With that in mind, a number of tools such as guides and fact sheets along with model articles of incorporation and model bylaws are being developed by Corporations Canada to help not-for-profit corporations and their directors adjust to the new regime.

Notification of the passage of this bill along with information on the availability of materials that will assist in the transition to the new legislation will be sent out to all corporations that will be impacted. This information will be posted on Corporations Canada's website for easy reference, and officials will be available to assist, if required.

Finally, Corporations Canada will work with other government departments and voluntary sector umbrella organizations to deliver training materials to affected corporations.

I am convinced that the flexibility and ease of use provided by this new legislation will be recognized, accepted and welcomed by the volunteer sector.

Let us wait no longer. Corporations in the voluntary and not-for-profit sectors need a framework that is free of excessive demands and also of red tape. They need it as soon as possible. I therefore encourage all members to support this initiative aimed at providing organizations that are important to Canadians with a modern framework that will allow them to devote their full energies and resources to fulfilling their primary purposes of providing much needed services to millions of Canadians.

[United Way of Canada, April 23rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, United Way of Canada-Centraide Canada holds its annual conference in Ottawa and Gatineau over the next three days.

Next to governments, it is the largest funder of the voluntary sector and social services in Canada, raising upward of $480 million each year, money that is reinvested in local communities to support programs and services directed at improving the social conditions of Canadians. About 900 staff and over 200,000 volunteers make this happen.

With the global economic crisis, United Way-Centraide is doing more with fewer resources, both financial and human. Despite this difficult reality, Canada's 119 agencies work locally to strengthen their communities. Since the first community collectives formed in Toronto and Montreal in 1917, United Way-Centraide has become dedicated to its task.

I wish to recognize the hundreds of members and thousands of volunteers of the United Way-Centraide Canada and it gives me great pleasure to wish the delegates a very productive conference.

[Interparliamentary Delegations, April 22nd, 2009]

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1) I have the honour to present, in both official languages, two reports of the Canadian Delegation of the Canada-United States Interparliamentary Group respecting its participation in two conferences: first, the Pacific Northwest Economic Region Economic Leadership Forum, held in Whistler, British Columbia, November 20 and 21, 2008; and second, the Blueprint for Canada-U.S. Engagement under a new Administration conference, held in Ottawa on December 8, 2008.

[Malaria, April 22nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, malaria kills up to 1.3 million people each year worldwide, including one child every 30 seconds. It can be prevented with a $6 insecticide-treated bed net.

April 25 is World Malaria Day. To help draw attention to the need for bed nets, Heather Haynes, an artist from the Gananoque area in my riding of Leeds--Grenville, will display in Kingston a travelling exhibit called “Worlds Collide”. Ms. Haynes travelled to Africa with her 11-year-old son, Whitney Montgomery, who raised $1,400 to buy nets.

The Buy-A-Net charity was started by Debra Lefebvre of Kingston, who was recently honoured as citizen of the year in that city.

A donation of $6 will purchase a long-lasting bed net. For a donation of $350, an entire village can be protected.

For more information, visit www.buyanet.ca

[Holocaust Memorial Day, April 21st, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, today is Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Memorial Day. Across this country, Canadians will remember, reflect, and most importantly, ensure that we never forget one of the greatest tragedies in human history.

The extermination of millions of Jewish people during World War II was a crime against all humankind. It is a priority of our government to ensure that the Holocaust is properly taught and commemorated both in Canada and around the world. We have committed to host the next meeting of the Inter-parliamentary Coalition for Combating Antisemitism, in 2010.

In partnership with the French and American governments, we will co-host with B'nai Brith a conference entitled, “The St. Louis Era: Looking Back, Moving Forward”.

Also this summer, Canada will take the next step toward becoming a full member in the Holocaust task force.

Canada was the first country in the world to withdraw from the anti-Semitic Durban Review Conference.

To acknowledge the singular horror of the Holocaust is to acknowledge that there are lines we may never cross and that human rights are either universal or non-existent.

[Infrastructure, March 10th, 2009]

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to state that our government listens to Canadians and we act on their behalf, and nowhere is that more positively demonstrated than in my riding of Leeds--Grenville.

Canadians, including those in my riding, told us that they needed infrastructure money to move critical projects forward. This government delivered.

One of the many important projects is the Port of Prescott, where crumbling docks will be rebuilt. This is an inland, deepwater port where dry bulk cargo is transferred and stored. The port services municipalities throughout eastern Ontario, providing storage and delivery of road salt, and farmers with grain storage and shipment.

Without this critical dock, thousands of transport trucks would be driving across Ontario delivering salt for roads and delivering corn. Our government--

[Business of Supply, March 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we have had so much commendation about this economic action plan from people in the education sector. I will quote President Jack Lightstone, Brock University, “The $5.1 billion investment in science and technology in Budget 2009 will help to further innovation and competitiveness, not just at Brock University but also at institutions across the country. This investment will help attract and retain the best researchers in the world”.

There has been so much support from the educational sector. I know those people want to see Canada's economic action plan put in place so this money can begin to flow.

[Business of Supply, March 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I have a great deal of respect for the member for Yukon and the work he does in the House.

The member spoke about the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. I spoke to the local chamber of commerce in Brockville a week or so ago. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance spoke to that same chamber this past Thursday night.

The fact is the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has commended the efforts of this government in bringing forward Canada's economic action plan. It has encouraged the government to see this through.

I am encouraged by the support from the hon. member to see Canada's economic action plan get through. I encourage him to push his friends in the other place to see it goes through as quickly as possible so this money can reach Canadians and help improve our economy.

[Business of Supply, March 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the fact is the budget, Canada's economic action plan, addresses so many areas of importance. I do not understand why anyone would be opposed to what the government has put forward in our plan.

There is so much in the area of science and technology: $2 billion for a knowledge infrastructure program; $1.5 billion over five years for clean energy technology, something that is very important in my riding with the opening of the new GreenField Ethanol plant, which just took its first load of corn. It will help not only the economy and the jobs that it will bring to my riding, but also it will help the farmers who, for too long, have needed help and assistance. This will help those farmers and it will help the environment as well.

There is so much more. I could go on and on about how Canada's economic action plan is helpful to the economy. I do not understand why any hon. members in the House would oppose the economic action plan.