ALL ABOUT CONTRIBUTIONS to the GREEN PARTY

 

There are two Green Parties to which you can contribute money: the Green Party of Ontario (GPO) and the Green Party of Canada (GPC). They have nearly identical goals but their finances must by law be kept separate. The two governments both have generous tax incentives for political party supporters but they are somewhat different.

 

The Kingston Greens represents both provincial and federal parties. When we represent the GPO we are the Constituency Association (CA). When we represent the GPC we are the Electoral District Association (EDA).

 

You can join either or both provincial and federal parties. You can do so directly or you can do so through the Kingston Greens who will forward your contribution as you direct it. At this time there is no separate membership fee to belong to the Kingston Greens. You are a member of the Kingston Greens if you live within the electoral boundaries and are a member of either the provincial or federal parties. Fees and other information are as follows:

 

Green Party of Canada

 

Eligibility: Canadian citizen or permanent resident not a member of another political party

 

Yearly membership:  $10

 

Maximum donation: $1100/year to candidate’s campaign
                                    $1100/year to party
                                    $1100/year to electoral district association

 

The Income Tax Act provides the following tax credits for eligible contributions to candidates and registered political parties in any one calendar year: see (http://www.elections.ca/content.asp?section=gen&document=ec90529&dir=bkg&lang=e&textonly=false)

 

Contribution

Corresponding tax credit

$0.01 to $400.00

75% of the contribution

$400.01 to $750.00

$300 plus 50% of the contribution over $400

$750.01 or more

$475 plus 33.3% of the contribution over $750

 

 

 

 

 

 

Green Party of Ontario

 

Eligibility: Resident of Ontario and not a member of another party

 

Yearly membership: $25 ($5 Accessibility membership)

 

Maximums: to GPO $8400, to CA $1120, to candidate campaign $1120

 to all CA's $5600, to all candidates $5600  

 

Tax credits:  

·        up to $336, 75% of contribution to a maximum $252

·        $336 to $1120, $252 +50% of amount over $336, max $644

·        more than $1120, $644 +33% of amount over $1120, max $1120

 

(the maximum tax credit is obtained when the contributions total $2548)

 

The Ontario tax credit returns the credits as above to the donor whether or not any taxes are due. See ( www.elections.on.ca )

 

 

 

 

If you wish to vote at a candidate nomination meeting you must be a member of the GPO (for provincial candidate) or a member of the GPC (for federal candidate). See the Constitution for details.

 

Note that if you pay only the amount of your membership(s) through the Kingston Greens, this leaves no funding for local expenses. Also remember that all donations to an election campaign must be spent on that campaign. So, although we have no membership fee, we will be glad of a donation. A donation over $25 must not be in cash. It can be a cheque, money order, or by credit card.

 

Donations or membership fees can be made by mail to:

 

P.O. Box 1691

Kingston, ON

K7L 5J6

 

Donations can also be made electronically at www.kingstongreens.ca .

 

Be sure to indicate where your contribution is to go. If you wish to donate but do not wish to become a member, that is also possible.

 

Finally, do not become intimidated by the sums mentioned above. Only a few of us can afford to give the maximum allowed. Give what you feel comfortable with, taking the tax credits into account. And remember that volunteers are also needed especially during an election: their effort is as important as the funds we have to work with. Give us a call at 384-8504.