The basic function of a non-governmental organization is to bypass democracy. Have lunch with a mayor, bypass 100,000 voters; have lunch with a premier or governor, bypass 10 million voters; lunch with a prime minister or president, bypass 100 million voters.
Certainly the same applies to a lobbyist, but I'm speaking of NGOs because they have a preferred status when it comes to taxation: when you donate $100 you get $30 taken off your taxes which is obviously taken out of general revenue. The government, aka "we the people" has decreed that if you want to divert tax dollars to a specific purpose, that's okay.
The basis of this exemption is that your donation is altruistic, that your support for humanitarian, animal rights, environment and biodiversity is beneficial to society.
But we're seeing NGOs direct activism against legitimate projects: projects that have been reviewed, publicized, negotiated, revised and permitted. Therefore privileged funds are being used to attack, obstruct and increase expenses for projects and people going about their lawful business.
NGOs, including political parties, found to be organizing, advocating or participating in civil disobedience that obstructs legitimate projects ought to have their tax exemption status revoked.
Brett Blaikie,
Prince George
