REAL Women of Canada 2018 Resolution, Discrimination of Charitable Donations Under the Income Tax Act

WHEREAS individuals may claim a tax credit  for donations to a provincial political party with maximum tax credit ranging from $500 to $1330, depending on the province[ii]; and

WHEREAS individuals donating to charities, such as churches may claim only a 15% tax credit on the first $200, which is five times less than the 75% tax credit provided for donations made to political parties[iii]; and

WHEREAS churches provide important benefits to society, such as schools and hospitals, foodbanks, treatment centres for addicts, shelters for the homeless, summer camps and daycare for the needy, among their many activities; and

WHEREAS the discrepancy in tax credits between donations made to political parties and to charities seems to indicates that political parties are more valued and of greater significance and importance in Canadian society than the work carried out by charities.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the tax credits awarded for donations to genuine charities must be at least commensurate or equal to the tax credits provided for donations to political parties. 

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[i]  75% tax credit for donations to a federal political party for
The first $400, plus 50% on donation from $400 to $750, and 33.33%
On the amount from $750 to $1,275

[ii]  75% tax credit for donations to a provincial political party on the first
$100, $200, $400 or $1000 donated depending on the province, plus 50% on
The next portion – from $100 to $400 depending on the province, plus 33.33%
on the  remainder

[iii]  15% tax credit is provided on the first $200, plus 29% tax credit for the amount over $200.
These percentages vary for first donors and for over $200,000 earners