Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is no doubt in my mind that the North boasts some of the most generous individuals and businesses that help support our most hardworking NGOs and registered charities in the North. Many of those NGOs and charities are with us here today, listening to our strategies on anti-poverty. However, in a lot of cases, small businesses and medium-sized businesses would love to contribute to a lot of these NGOs and charities only they can’t. They can’t afford to do so.
Because this is anti-poverty day I have a question for the Minister of Finance. Would the Minister of Finance consider a business tax incentive for poverty?
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The honourable Minister responsible for Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’re willing to look at all opportunities and alternatives as it pertains to dealing with a lot of our issues and our financial situation which, as the Member knows, is somewhat restricted at this point in time. I’d have to hear more in terms of specifics from the Member, but it would be something that I would be more than happy to appear before committee to talk about.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister’s response that we look into it and I appreciate the fact that money is tight. A further supplemental to that same question is sometimes businesses can’t afford to give money but they can give in-kind. That, too, would have a tangible effect for NGOs and registered charities to get the good work done that they need to do. Would the Minister of Finance consider, as well, equally in-kind tax incentives for, say, poverty?
As far as I know, once again, most of the NGOs who are in this business have charitable status and can issue tax receipts for donations that will address some of the issues the Member raises. Once again, if the Member has a number of these alternatives and they may be linked, then I would be making the commitment that I’m more than happy to appear before the committee to talk about those.
No further questions, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
