Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers to them), by topic:
Green Party Policy and Platform
Q: Where can I find the Green Party position on __________(e.g., housing)?
A: Our Plan is on the Green Party of Canada website. It provides overviews of Green Party aspirations on many topics. For more detailed discussion check back with us in a few weeks, as we are awaiting the release of a full election platform. Vision Green 2020 provides a comprehensive compilation of issues and what Green MPs will do to address them, based on Green Party policies, as of January 2020. If you have a specific question not covered by these sources, please send an email to: info@greenparty.ca.
Volunteers
Q: What kinds of volunteering activities are available? (I want to volunteer, but I’m not sure how I can help.)
A: Thank you! Everyone can do something helpful, and everyone’s help is appreciated. Please click on Volunteer under the menu’s Take Action! and complete the online form to sign up. After you sign up, someone will contact you to provide you with further information.
Donations
Q: What are the ways I can donate?
A: You can make one or more individual donations, or regular monthly donations. Donating online with a credit card (see Take Action!) is easiest for most situations. You can also donate by cheque or cash (Contact Us). Sorry, debit cards cannot be used.
Q: What is the maximum that I can donate?
A: $1750 to the local EDA and candidate, plus $1750 to the national party. (These limits, set by Elections Canada, increase $25 each year.)
If you wish to donate more than $1750, please Contact Us. (Thank you! It gets a little tricky, and we want to make sure you get the tax credits you deserve. Online donations to the EDA go through the national office and are therefore treated for tax purposes as donations to the national party. Additional donations therefore have to go directly to the EDA to avoid over-contribution to the national party.)
Q: Do I get something back on my taxes?
A: Yes, federal political contributions are eligible for a substantial income tax credit. (Provincial political contributions are too, and are calculated separately.) In effect, the government pays you to support the federal and provincial Greens!
Q: When will I get my official tax receipt for my donation?
A: Tax receipts are mailed out in February of the year following the year in which the donations were made.
Q: How much is my tax credit for my donation?
A: Submit your tax receipt with your income tax return for the year you donated, and you will receive a tax credit for 75% of the first $400 donated, 50% of any amount between $400 and $750, and 33.33% of amounts over $750, to a maximum credit of $650 (for a donation of $1275 or more).
So, a $400 donation costs you only $100; a donation of $1650 costs you $1000:
| Your Donation | Your Tax Credit | Your Cost After Tax Credit |
|---|---|---|
| $20.00 | $15.00 | $5.00 |
| $100.00 | $75.00 | $25.00 |
| $400.00 | $300.00 | $100.00 |
| $750.00 | $475.00 | $275.00 |
| $1750 (maximum) | $750.00 | $1000.00 |
| Your Monthly Donation | Your Annual Donation | Your Tax Credit | Your Annual Cost AFTER Tax Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $120.00 | $90.00 | $30.00 (a coffee per month) |
| $20.00 | $240.00 | $180.00 | $60.00 |
| $50.00 | $600.00 | $400.00 | $200.00 |
| $100.00 | $1200.00 | $625.00 | $575.00 |
| $145.00 | $1740 | $740.00 | $1000 |
Q: How can couples/partners on one budget make the best use of tax credits?
A: Your budget can “go further” if both partners donate, rather than just one. For example, if your budget allows for an after-tax expense of $200 for donations to the Greens, one partner could donate $600 and get a $400 tax credit, or both partners could each donate $400 and each get a $300 tax credit. The after-tax cost is $200 in both cases, but the Greens get $200 more if both donate!
Q: How are donations used?
A: Donations to the EDA are used for special events that the EDA hosts, election campaign expenses (e.g., signs, advertising) and routine office expenses like postage and telephone. The EDA may sometimes hire professionals, e.g., to help with communications. Donations to the Green Party of Canada are used for running and staffing the national party office, and supporting EDAs nationwide. During Election Years, the EDA will make a generous contribution to the Candidate’s Campaign.
Q: How do I update my credit card expiry date or use a different credit card for my monthly donation?
A: Please call us at the phone number under Contact Us and we will set up a new donation with your new card information.
Q: How do I cancel my automatic monthly credit card donation?
A: Please call or email us (see Contact Us) and we will cancel the donation for you. (If your credit card has expired or been cancelled, there is no need to call us, as your donations will automatically be cancelled by your credit card company.)
Membership
Q: How do I become a member of the Electoral District Association?
A: You need to (1) be a member of the Green Party of Canada (GPC) and, (2) live within the boundaries of the electoral district.
Please click on Join Us! under the menu’s Take Action! and complete the online form to sign up online.
A nominal donation (eligible for an income tax credit) is required when you sign up to become a member. Signing up for a monthly donation with your membership is the most effective way to support the GPC. Alternatively you can sign up for a one-year membership with a donation of $10 or more, or a three-year membership with a donation of $25 or more.
Provided you live in the electoral district, you automatically become a member of the local electoral district association when you sign up to become a member of the GPC.
Q: How can I check if I’m a member or when my membership expires?
A: Contact the EDA at cmlgreens@greenparty.ca
Q: What are the advantages of membership?
A: Green Party membership gives you more than a warm feeling inside:
- Participate in the Electoral District Association and vote to help to choose your next Green Party candidate to become a Member of Parliament
- Influence Green Party policy development at national and local levels
- Vote in Green Party elections at national and local levels
- Keep up to date with Green Party activities at both national and local levels
- Get access to member-only pages on the GPC website