Tax break for volunteer cops

Kate Bouey -CASTANET  Jan 10, 2016 / 6:19 am

North Okanagan Shuswap MP Mel Arnold has thrown his support behind an on-line Parliamentary petition that calls for auxiliary RCMP constables to be given the same tax credit as other volunteer first responders. The e-petition to the federal government is the brainchild of Vernon city councillor Bob Spiers. “I think that all volunteer first responders should be treated equally and this tax credit would complete the equality of these volunteers,” said Spiers. The petition reads:

“Whereas the previous government instituted a tax credit for volunteer firemen in 2011 and a similar tax treatment for volunteer search and rescue in 2014; and an auxiliary constable is an unarmed, unpaid, uniformed RCMP volunteer whose activities are governed under provincial legislation.

We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, request (or call upon) the Government of Canada to extend a tax credit to auxiliary police officers similar to that already given to volunteer firefighters and search and rescue volunteers.”

The Canada Revenue Agency website states a person can claim a $3,000 tax credit for the volunteer firefighters' amount (VFA) or the search and rescue volunteers' amount (SRVA), under certain conditions depending on hours worked. The e-petition went online Friday and is available for signatures until May 7 at which time  Arnold will present it to the House of Commons, said Spiers. “MP Arnold supports the spirit of the petition and the support it seeks for volunteer officers who assist the police services that work to keep our communities safe,” said Joel Taguchi, Arnold's legislative assistant.
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Auxiliary police should get tax break, Vernon councilor says
By Radio West, CBC News Posted: Jan 11, 2016 6:00 PM PT
A Vernon city councilor is spearheading an e-petition to give auxiliary RCMP constables a break on their taxes. Volunteer firefighters and search and rescue personnel are already entitled to a tax break, and Coun. Bob Spiers believes it's time for volunteer cops to get the same treatment. "It just makes so much sense to have auxiliary constables get the same kind of tax treatment. And that's what we've been trying to get since 2014, actually," he told Radio West host Rebecca Zandbergen.  Spiers admits the tax credit for volunteer firefighters and search and rescue personnel is a small one, only a few hundred dollars a year, but is important because it recognizes the service of volunteers. There are 1,600 RCMP auxiliary constables nationwide, including between 15 and 20 in Vernon. Other police forces employ auxiliary constables as well, and Spiers wants to see them get the tax break as well. Spiers notes the duties of an auxiliary constable can be dangerous. Last year, an auxiliary officer in Red Deer was shot and wounded, and in 2004 a Vernon auxiliary was killed when a stolen truck hit his cruiser. Spiers is hopeful that his petition will get changes this time around and notes local MP Mel Arnold has agreed to sponsor it. Spiers believes Arnold will present the petition in Parliament in May.