A Private Members Bill put forward in Parliament by Provencher MP Ted Falk died this past week when it did not pass Second Reading. The 'Fairness in Charitable Gifts Act' would have given donors to charities the same generous tax breaks as donors to political parties. Falk says a lot of MPs liked the bill except for the cost to the federal treasury.

"I think really the cost was really the only. Initially it would have had a cost of about $1.2 billion to the treasury in additional tax credits that would have been available to individuals who make charitable donations. And that cost could have risen to close to $2 billion over the next five years according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer. I had many members from all parties come and talk to me after the vote Wednesday and say it was a great bill and would have loved to supported it but for the cost. They kept referencing the cost."

Falk still believes the cost would have been well worth it because a better tax break would have encouraged more people to donate to charity, something that has been falling off.

"We've seen a decline over the past 25 years in the number of individuals who are making charitable donation claims and so this bill would have sought to encourage people to become more charitable."

Falk won a draw to present a Private Members Bill, something that is a rare opportunity in Parliament. He says it turned into a great learning experience about the process of drafting legislation and working with the legal teams in Ottawa.