Cardus against ‘intrusive’ union bill

OTTAWA - A Conservative MP’s private member’s bill that aims to bring more financial transparency to labour organizations is too intrusive, says Cardus, a think tank that focuses on social policy.

MP Russ Hiebert’s Bill C-377 would require labour organizations to file financial information to the Canada Revenue Agency. The NDP has adamantly opposed it, arguing it violates workers’ rights and privacy and that it is too onerous and expensive.

Hiebert said he put forward the bill after he found out labour organizations have no obligations under the Income Tax Act to keep records of their financial dealings or report them to Canada Revenue Agency. Because labour organizations receive substantial tax benefits, Hiebert said he thought the same principles should apply to unions as they apply to charities.

But Cardus senior researcher and editor Brian Dijkema said the bill is much more intrusive on labour organizations than the current rules for charities, even though Hiebert has put forth amendments that would address many NDP concerns.
“It works against the principle of subsidiarity and Catholics should be against it,” Dijkema said.