More than any other initiative in the 2012 federal budget, the one that struck a chord with Canadians is $8-million for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to require greater transparency from non-profits with regard to their political activity and foreign funding. An Angus Reid poll found that 80% of Canadians support this move. Environmentalists, however, feel that they’re being picked on.
David Suzuki has dismissed the focus on U.S. funding “twisted logic” and “a conspiracy theory.” Further, in an open letter sent last week, Mr. Suzuki, Canada’s foremost environmentalist, suggested that his foundation is being “bullied.” He also announced that he has stepped off the board of his foundation. “I want to speak freely without fear that my words will be deemed too political,” he wrote.
It stands to reason that David Suzuki would defend his funding. After all, he built his foundation with millions of U.S. dollars. Back in 2000, more than half of the Suzuki foundation’s budget was covered by U.S. foundations. The U.S. share has dropped dramatically since, from 52% in 2000 to 5% in 2010. Still, according to my calculations, over the past decade U.S. foundations accounted for at least 17% of the revenue of the David Suzuki Foundation. In correspondence for this article, the foundation did not dispute these numbers.
Boo hoo. Don’t demand transparency when you don’t want it.
I’ve never understood this notion that giving someone less money is stifling their free speech, censorship, or bullying (the new buzzword!). It’s like the endowment for the arts. If you need government money to function, then your work clearly isn’t that great to begin with. There’s a big difference between telling you that you can’t say or do something and not giving you money to say or do it.
Now if only Al would get tired of being “picked on”, dry up and blow away.
Environmentalists, however, feel that they’re being picked on.
Good. Means it’s working!
Mr. Suzuki, Canada’s foremost environmentalist, suggested that his foundation is being “bullied.” He also announced that he has stepped off the board of his foundation.
Rats scurrying off the sinking ship. Tangible results
I understand that it is reflexive for lefties to immediately claim to be the victim, but how is Suzuki being “picked on” or “bullied” if the law applies to everyone?