Canada would be a different place without our 80,000 registered charities dedicated to everything from health to economic policy to the environment. We'd be much poorer without the two-million employees, and millions of volunteers who devote their time to causes that strengthen our nation.
Recent efforts by the federal government, its backers in media and industry front groups like Ethical Oil to demonize and silence legitimate organizations ignore the important role charities play in Canada. That's why environmental and other organizations are joining with Canadians from all walks of life for Black Out Speak Out, launched on May 7th with ads in the Globe and Mail, La Presse, and Ottawa's Hill Times and culminating in a website blackout on June 4th.
Canadians understand the value of charitable organizations. Close to 85 per cent of us over 15 years of age (22.2 million people) donate to charities every year. Often, it's to help people in other parts of the world. According to Charity Village, Canadians gave $20 million to the Canadian Red Cross, CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, UNICEF Canada, and World Vision within four days of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. For supporting worthy causes, Canadians are entitled to a small tax break.
Canadians also know that our spectacular natural environment is crucial to our national identity, health and survival, and that we can't always count on governments and industry to look out for its interests. And so they give their time, money and voices to organizations working on a range of conservation issues from habitat and species protection, to clean energy and global warming. The David Suzuki Foundation relies on Canadians for close to 94 per cent of its funding.
Canadians also expect transparency and results, which is why our funding and spending information is public. With the help of many Canadians, along with friends and allies, we've enjoyed many successes. We've increased demand and supply for sustainable seafood, fought for habitat protection for animals such as killer whales, and ensured that invaluable areas like the Great Bear Rainforest and the northern boreal forest get increased protection. Perhaps more importantly, we've facilitated opportunities for Canadians to engage in important discussions about conservation of the air, water, land and biodiversity on which we all depend.
It's why we're astounded by the increasing efforts to stifle so many people and organizations that devote countless hours to the often thankless, and less-than-lucrative tasks of ensuring that Canada remains a stellar example of an open and democratic country with strong social values, and a clean and healthy environment.
If we are committed to these ideals then it follows we should also value freedom of speech, and opportunities for a range of viewpoints on matters of national interest. It's fair to place limits on the extent and types of work organizations with charitable status can do. It's fair to ask questions about donations and what, if any, influence they may have on activities. But it is unacceptable to try to silence people with smear tactics designed to discredit them and deny their funding.
If our leaders want to pin all their hopes and our future on a twinned pipeline through Alberta and B.C. to ship raw tar sands bitumen to China, then Canadians at least deserve a proper conversation about it. We've seen recent signs of hope, with the Alberta government calling for a national energy strategy, for example, and with people in the media and elsewhere questioning the wisdom of employing an omnibus budget act to gut environmental laws, and attack charitable organizations.
With continued suppression of those who speak out about the environment and human rights, along with muzzling of government scientists, cuts to government scientific and environmental programs and departments, it's clear we're facing a growing campaign, in part backed by industrial interests, to silence opposition.
We expect and deserve better. That's why we're speaking out. Silence is not an option. We're asking all Canadians to join us to help preserve two core national values: nature and democracy. Let's keep Canada strong and free. Please visit the websites of your favourite environmental organizations on June 4th to add your voice.
Participating organizations include: David Suzuki Foundation, Greenpeace Canada, Environmental Defence, Equiterre, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Sierra Club of Canada, Pembina Institute, Nature Canada, Ecojustice, and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Canada.
Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation Editorial and Communications Specialist Ian Hanington.
Follow David Suzuki on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DavidSuzukiFDN
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The unfortunate thing is that so many half wit harebrained Canadians succumb to the unscrupulous mercenaries that run these orginizations and are prepared to parrot their ideas and commit their crimes,
I am happy to see that the Canadian government is taking steps to stop this atrocity as it seems the Canadian people are too dumb to appreciate what is actually going on.
Your argument reeks of hypocrisy.
I fully support your organization's efforts and I am ashamed of the conduct of our federal government.
As a token of my support, I - as a Canadian citizen - have donated to your foundation, and purchased an e-card from one of your organization's campaigns which has been addressed to Joe Oliver in parliament. This very small act is my way of making my voice heard on this issue. I encourage others to do the same:
https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/TicketingCatalog.aspx?EventID=58089&LangPref=en-CA
The natural environment is extremely important to a great many Canadians. I appreciate the importance of economy and resource extraction, but this should not be at the expense of the environment in all instances. Some things are worth more than money. Particularly when that money largely goes to enrich those who are already obscenely wealthy.
Hear, hear!
Thank you for your exemplary service to Canada Dr. Suzuki.
Now with regard to the good Dr. Suzuki we are most assuredly on the same page. He definitely is one of Canada’s National Treasures. And all that he has achieved has been accomplished in the most sublime fashion without the need for any non-productive sensationalism shall we say.
David Suzuki is a modern day Canadian hero, in my opinion. His legacy as a man who cares for the future of both his country and the entire world will put Harper's legacy to shame.
With some restrictions such as defamation and fraud, all of the above are protected speech. The Suzuki Foundation has the right to espouse any opinion they wish and I encourage them to do so.
The only question here is "Are they a charitable organization under Canadian law?"
"seek to ... retain, oppose, or change the law, policy, or decision of any level of government or a foreign country."
It seems to me that the Suzuki Foundation may well have transgressed these political restrictions. If there's good a case to be made then it should be brought before the courts.
But don't blame the current government for the law. They had no hand in defining the current definition of a charity. And above all, Suzuki, don't ask to be above the law. No one is threatening your right of free speech, only your right to issue charitable tax receipts.
But I don't think the problem is that of alluding to government policy, but spending a substantial part of one's budget pressuring government to change policy. That, I believe, is what the courts have decided.
Get the word out to everyone, Harper's 2 year window for environmental review is just a huge gift to big oil.
Projects approved in the next two years will be very costly, and legally treacherous to stop if we do not stop this undemocratic process soon.
We do not want to have Blackwater enforcing contracts on Canadian soil.
The first thing a repressive regime will do is restrict the flow of information not condusive to their goals. With our false majority, Canda is becoming a nation of singular values which polarizes us rather than encourages cooperation. The "occupy movement" is one of the symptoms of our divisive society.
We are left on the fringes. But the good news is, public awareness is growing, with the help of grass roots organizations speading the word.
Go on the web pages of any above mentioned charity and look for financial statements. See if they are readily availabe. Personally I wanted to give to Red Cross and I ahd to call the local chapter to ask for the financial reports. I was put on hold, and waited about 15 minutes then I hung up and did a research.
Forbes has them rated by how much noney goes to actual charity work, and how much goes into salaries, bonuses and whatnot.
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/14/charity-10_rank.html
I personally chose Direct Relief International that has good ratings, and here are their financial documents:
http://www.directrelief.org/OurFinances/RelatedDocuments/RelatedDocuments.aspx
http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=000352&tid=019
CARE Canada - one click
http://care.ca/about-us/annual-reports
OXFAM a bit trickier - 4 clicks (I didn't find it right away)
http://www.oxfam.ca/who-we-are/financial-summaries
UNICEF - 2 clicks
http://www.unicef.ca/en/discover/article/financial-accountability-0
My point being, if you don't like how they do business, fair enough. But don't spread misinformation or imply improper financial accounts.
Back in 2004 I couldn't find anything.
I wouldn't be surprised to learn that there were some personnel changes at the very top.
They still have some way to go, in posting more than just the last year, but it's a positive sign nonetheless.
Thanks!
It's good to see that Red Cross Canada has them readily available now. Back in 2004, I couldn't find it. Shouldn't come as a surprise to learn that it has something to do with CICA 4470, that requires Disclosure of Allocated Expenses for Not-For-Profit Organizations, since 2009.
Thats' would explain why there is only 2011 and 2010 statements available.
Direct Relief has them for the last 12 years, they made them available without being told to do it...and that should count for something.