When people agree to join a board of directors, it is usually because they have an interest in or passion for the work of the organization. Most directors want and are committed to fulfilling their duties and responsibilities, including devoting the time to fully prepare for, regularly attend and participate in board meetings. However, unexpected […]
By: Arthur Drache Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier has announced[1] that the CRA will collaborate with the Department of Finance to engage with charities to clarify the rules governing political activities. The online consultations are now open, and the in-person consultations which will be held in six cities across Canada will follow at a later […]
Charitable food banks have been in the news lately. In Europe, the Government of France passed laws to stop supermarkets from throwing away food and instead making them donate it to charities and food banks. In California, where there is a sales tax on disposable diapers, a proposed bill to eliminate the sales tax to […]
By: Adam Aptowitzer It is a commonly understood principle of law that for a law to be fair it must be possible for those regulated to obey. For example, nobody would think a law against speeding just if the speed limit changes arbitrarily. In charity law this situation is not only possible but it exists […]
By: Sukhdeep Singh Sembi The continued effort to simplify correspondence to taxpayers from the CRA has recently resulted in the agency publishing an infograph to help charities understand when their annual filings are due. Charities must file the T3010 information return within six months of its fiscal year-end. The process is slightly more complicated when […]
Over the summer we have seen the media headlines reporting on the unsuccessful negotiations of a new Physician Services Agreement (“PSA”) between the Ontario Medical Association (“OMA”) and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (“MOHLTC”). The PSA sets out the fee schedule for medical services provided to patients in Ontario. On August 14, […]
by Arthur Drache Most investment fund managers have a single goal…to produce the best return on the funds under their control. Most also are subject to guidelines set by clients. These guidelines are usually associated with the quality of companies which are being considered, their size and the market within which they operate. But many […]
By: Adam Aptowitzer For most Canadians and Canadian Charities the Anti-Terrorism rules are a red herring to be reviewed only in the rarest of situations, if at all. However, recent events in Israel provide some motivation for Canadian Charities doing work abroad to take a closer look at these rules. According to international news reports […]
Canadian charity law, being largely based on that of the United Kingdom, traces its roots directly back to the preamble of the English Charitable Uses Act of 1601, known as the “Statute of Elizabeth I”. Although the Statute itself was repealed in the 19th century, the preamble was legally preserved and still forms the basis […]
Whether it is assisting Syrian refugees to settle in Canada or helping those fleeing from floods and fires, the goodwill of the people and charities in Canada always make headlines. In times of disaster, it seems many charities want to raise money and get on the bandwagon to help those in need. Although this may […]