BC Non-Profits Under Threat

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Street Address

City

Postal Code *

State/Province

Country

Subject *

Message *

Dear Minister De Jong,
Cc: Carole James, Opposition Finance Critic
 
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed changes to the Societies Act.
 
British Columbia’s 27,000 societies are an integral part of our civil society, representing a wide diversity of sectors and opinions. These non-profits, such as environmental and humanitarian groups, community and arts organizations and church groups, collectively contribute to a stronger province and an engaged civil society.
 
Your government’s proposed changes to the Societies Act concern me, in particular the "Complaints by Public" provision that allows a person to legally challenge a society for not acting in the public interest. The proposed changes do not define what public interest is, and open the door to intimidation from disgruntled individuals. Many societies are grassroots organizations, working on volunteer efforts and small budgets; these organizations do not have the resources available to go to court on the whim of a disgruntled individual.
 
Please keep BC’s civil society strong and remove the proposed changes to the Society’s Act that open the door to intimidation and legal challenges for not acting in the undefined public interest.
 
Sincerely,

Send to:
Financial and Corporate Sector Policy Branch, Ministry of Finance
Finance Minister Mike de Jong
Opposition Finance Critic Carole James
Your MLA

Your MLA

BC Provincial Riding