Are political contributions ten times more valuable than charitable contributions
- CTF blasts political finance reform package (Bill C-24) before Commons committee
- Reforms will cost $39 million in election years and $26 million annually
- Taxpayers federation states Bill C-24 will "erode democracy, not enhance it"
OTTAWA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today testified before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs in its study of Bill C-24, which amends the Canada Elections Act and the Income Tax Act.
If passed into law, Bill C-24 will ban business and union donations to political parties and replace them with a taxpayer subsidy to political parties along with providing a more generous tax credit regime for political contributions. Taxpayer financed rebates to political parties and candidates after an election will also be increased.
If money is the problem, just get rid of it, don't replace it
" The government continues to claim there is a festering perception that business and union money buys undue influence," said CTF federal director Walter Robinson. "If this is the case, just reduce the amount of money available. Bill C-24 merely replaces the political system's addiction to corporate and union cash with a partisan politics tax to be borne by taxpayers. It's patently unfair and wholly undemocratic."
The Costs of Bill C-24
" This bill will fleece taxpayers of an additional $39 million in an election year and almost $26 million more in non-election years, according to the Chief Electoral Officer," added Robinson. "All costs will be indexed to inflation and it is likely that rebate percentages and other calculations will increase over time. This is a blatant rip-off of taxpayers."
Let's enhance democracy, not erode it
" Passage of C-24 will sadly make political giving even more attractive than charitable giving from a tax perspective and will also complicate the electoral process further so only those who can afford a battery of lawyers, accountants and election technocrats will participate," concluded Robinson. "Our politicians should enhance democracy, not erode it."