| |
 Print
PROTECTING CHARITIES DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS
3-31-2020
NCCM sends open letter, signed by several major charities and non-profits, and launches a petition to call for specific government support to the charitable sector
(Ottawa – March 26, 2020)
The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), in cooperation with our partners in the charitable and non-for-profit sector, is calling on the Government of Canada in an open letter to protect our charities in the wake of COVID-19.
The current crisis has placed demands on the charitable sector like never before. Charities across Canada have stepped up to take care of some of the most vulnerable communities in our country by providing front-line services in response to the pandemic.
"While we are pleased to see the initial supports being offered by the Government of Canada, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a critical threat to many charities in Canada," said Mustafa Farooq, CEO of NCCM, "To date there have been no particular commitments to specifically support the charitable sector. The long-term implications of a collapsed charitable sector could be devastating to Canada. That's why we are calling on the Government of Canada to take action".
NCCM is are calling on the Government of Canada to:
• Match donations raised by charitable organizations for the next three months.
• Increase the charitable donation tax credit to encourage donors to continue to support charitable institutions.
• Extend a 0% interest credit line for charitable organizations (capped at a $1 million loan) to help cover operational costs to be paid back over a three-year period.
• Set out a specific wage subsidy plan for charities. We ask that the government subsidize salaries for charities up to the maximum EI benefits as has been done in the United Kingdom. This will allow charitable organizations to ensure that the front-line staff most critical to delivering services to Canadians can continue to deliver those services, rather than be forced to lay them off.
NCCM has also launched a petition where Canadians can sign on and let the government know that the time to provide support for charitable organizations is now.
We are available for comment.
The NCCM is an independent, non-partisan and non-profit organization that is a leading voice for civic engagement and the promotion of human rights. For more information visit www.NCCM.ca/protectourcharities
________________________
CONTACT: Mustafa Farooq, NCCM CEO, mfarooq@nccm.ca or 613-406-2525
- 30 -
Footnotes:
|