Murphy's Logic: Reward giving to people over giving to politics
Winston Churchill said, "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
For many, this is the season of giving. Our own Christmas Daddies broadcast is just a week away.
With so many families struggling to pay for groceries and fuel this year, charities are likely to experience increased demand even as donations drop.
While a Nanos Research survey, conducted for CTV News, found 60 per cent of Atlantic Canadians plan to give the same amount to charities this year as last, almost a quarter say they’ll give less, because they have less to give.
Supporting those in need is not only the right thing to do -- it’s also tax-deductible.
A person who gives $100 to charity gets a federal tax credit of $15; it’s the government’s way to encourage and reward charitable donations.
But consider this.
The same $100 donation to a federal political party produces a tax credit of five times as much -- $75.00. There is a much lower limit on eligible political donations, but for Canadians of modest means, it’s more lucrative to support a registered political party than a registered charity.
That’s not right.
Political parties are important, but they mainly support themselves and their election campaigns. A great many charities provide food, clothing, shelter and support for those on hard times.
The basic tax credit for supporting them should be increased.
Surely, the tax system shouldn’t reward giving to politics over giving to people.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.