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CANADA House of Commons Debates VOLUME 138 Ï NUMBER 134 Ï 2nd SESSION Ï 37th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Monday, October 6, 2003 Speaker: The Honourable Peter Milliken CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) All parliamentary publications are available on the ``Parliamentary Internet Parlementaire´´ at the following address: http://www.parl.gc.ca 8179 HOUSE OF COMMONS Monday, October 6, 2003 The House met at 11 a.m. emergency services, which we all know adds an element of danger to their lives as well, are unsung heroes in their communities. Prayers It is time for us to recognize them. It is time for us to stop, look and see what they are doing. Volunteerism is a very important factor in Canada. This afternoon, in an S.O. 31, I also will speak about volunteers in Canada. Canada is considered the number one country PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS in the world because of volunteers. Volunteers span the whole country from east to west; every community has its volunteers. It is Ï (1105) very important that we as public policy makers recognize that those [English] who volunteer their time for the betterment of others should receive recognition and our thanks. We recognize their contributions and this INCOME TAX ACT is a very small way of recognizing their contributions. The House resumed from May 27 consideration of the motion that Bill C-325, an act to amend the Income Tax Act (deduction for All we are asking is that the workers be allowed to deduct $3,000 volunteer emergency service), be read the second time and referred from their taxable incomes from any source. It would help them in to a committee. many aspects. It would help them in regard to recognition. It would Mr. Deepak Obhrai (Calgary East, Canadian Alliance): Mr. be a small token of appreciation from Canada. It would be a little Speaker, I would like to commend my colleague from Lethbridge extra money for their services so that they would feel important, who has brought forward this private member's bill, Bill C-325, an because they are important, and they would recognize that we have act to amend the Income Tax Act (deduction for volunteer not forgotten them. emergency service). It is important for us to recognize our volunteers. Volunteerism is For my good friend, my colleague from Lethbridge, whose riding the essence of Canadian society. It is the stronghold and foundation encompasses a lot of rural areas, this is extremely important. of our society. It is what brings us the quality of life such that we are Volunteers are extremely important in rural areas as they man recognized around the globe as the number one country in the world. emergency services and are providing the quality of life and that valuable service which otherwise would be extremely costly for Canadian taxpayers. These individuals are volunteers in our rural In these difficult times we must also look at retaining volunteers. communities who are manning emergency services. My colleague There are pressures of time at their work and for their children. All and everybody who lives in rural Canada recognize the importance these things put extra pressure on people, who find that they now of these individuals to their well-being and safety. have less free time on their hands in which to volunteer. My colleague introduced Bill C-325 because, first, he feels there is a need to recognize these people and he actually wants to Ï (1110) recognize the importance of the volunteer men and women in emergency services and our dependency on their services. Second, Therefore, the first thing they will drop is volunteerism, because at he wants to attract and retain volunteers in a time in which they are the end of the day nobody wants to be burnt out. Those of us who increasingly difficult to recruit. Third, he wants to compensate these come in daily contact with volunteers know that many of them are courageous individuals for their efforts in providing a safe already burnt out, but they keep on working for that quality of life. environment for people in rural Canada. Let us talk about these three points in detail. Let us talk about the We must ensure that we do not lose this vital component of our importance of volunteer men and women in emergency services. As society in Canada, volunteerism, and the best way to do that is to I said in my earlier remarks, emergency services are very costly ensure that volunteers feel important, feel that they are part of society services to provide in small rural communities. These individuals and feel recognized. Giving them a tax deduction is an aspect of who have dedicated their time and training and who work in letting them know that they are a very vital part of the community. 8180 COMMONS DEBATES October 6, 2003 Private Members' Business As we have stated, emergency services are considered essential [English] services. Our laws ensure that people in emergency services are always available to provide those very needed services and safety features. So it is with volunteers too. We must make sure that is recognized. We must work to ensure that volunteers are available, Mr. Peter Stoffer (Sackville—Musquodoboit Valley—Eastern because if they are not, then what do we do? Would it mean that Shore, NDP): Mr. Speaker, you caught me just a touch off guard, these services would be reduced? That is not an acceptable option. but I do thank you for the recognition. Otherwise it would be a very expensive situation for us. A $3,000 tax deduction is not a very big sum of money. It would be a very small token of appreciation for these people. First, on behalf of my family and my constituents of Sackville— Third, these are courageous people who have families and other Musquodoboit Valley—Eastern Shore, we want to recognize the two work. They take time off from their work and their families to fallen soldiers, who in reality are our greatest volunteers. Those perform these services as well. They would welcome this reward, people who volunteer for our armed services and put their lives on which would recognize those who volunteer their time and would the line for us show true valour and earn our enduring recognition. make sure that those who live in rural communities or anywhere else Coming from Holland, where my parents were liberated by the have that level of comfort in knowing that emergency services are sacrifices of the Canadian military, let me say that we forever shall available in times of difficult situations. remember them. Giving tax benefits is one of the small ways in which we can recognize those who provide services for society. We as politicians have given tax deductions, and generous tax deductions as a matter In regard to the bill of my colleague from Alberta, I fully support of fact, to those who contribute to political parties because we his initiative. As has been stated in many other debates, if it were not recognize the importance of political parties to the democratic for volunteers in this country we would be a lot worse off than we system of our country. Hence, we have a system where we recognize are now. I came here from Halifax this morning after seeing the quite generously those who donate to political parties. I do not see devastation done by hurricane Juan. Although we have emergency anything wrong with it. As a matter of fact, developing the system services and work crews doing the very best they can, if it were not through Bill C-24, which is coming out, where the taxpayer now will for the volunteer efforts of people from the Red Cross and many foot the bill, is a recognition of the value of democracy in our others, we certainly could not get the job done, especially for seniors country. or people who are having a very difficult time without the services of water and electricity. For that, they should be congratulated. Here is one of the essential elements, providing volunteers, a vital service, at no cost to the taxpayer. So the recognition of a tax deduction of $3,000 would go a long way. We all know that to get a tax deduction based on one's income, it starts from 18% and goes up. That is why this bill is very fitting. We need to ensure that people It is not a very generous amount that would cost the Government of who volunteer are recognized not only with awards or plaques, and Canada a lot of money. The alternative is more expensive. not with platitudes, but with a small remuneration. Therefore, I do not see why we would have difficulty in agreeing to the bill. It is not a big sum of money. It is not going to impact the finance minister's books. As a matter of fact, the government wastes Many friends of mine are members of the Lions Club. On their more money on other things like the HRDC boondoggle and the gun own time, many of them from Sheet Harbour drive people into the registry. They have spent more money wasting it on those things, so city to see their doctors and for various appointments. It is a good why can we not recognize the people who really count, who make hour's drive. This costs them a great deal of money. We believe that a our country number one, with this small token of appreciation? small remuneration through the tax system would greatly offset this.

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