Fort McMurray Forum

Local MP says silencing political charities, money well spent

The MP for Fort McMurray-Athabasca is abandoning his private member's bill aimed at undercutting foreign funded interest groups.

Brian Jean says the legislation has already been adopted, with the Federal budget signalling a crack down on charitable groups, with increased audits and regulation.

Jean says it will be $8 million well spent, ensuring advocacy efforts are kept at a minimum.

"If the shoe fits, wear it, I'm not saying that by any stretch of the imagination that we're targeting environmental groups. I think what were doing is targeting  people that conducting political activities which outside of the scheme of their professed mandate," said Jean. 

Jean says by excluding politically active groups from a tax break, and silencing opposition to major economic projects, Canadians will see a return on their investment.

The increased regulations require charities provide more information on their political campaigns and use no more than ten per cent of their budget on advocacy efforts.