By Alexandra Tzannidakis The CRA’s Charities Directorate continually develops and updates a variety of policies and guidance for public consumption that are presumably predicated on their own internal policies. It has an extensive list of policies available online that are aimed at registered charities, voluntary sector professionals, and (according to its website) its own officers. […]
Unpaid Pledges
By Arthur B.C. Drache, CM, QC Several recent articles in the Globe and Mail dealt with the apparent failure of some major donors to honour pledges made in conjunction with the expansion of the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. A Globe and Mail investigation[1] showed the Royal Ontario Museum is still owed $23 million in unpaid […]
Erosion of the Alberta Advantage
By C. Yvonne Chenier, QC Since 2007 Albertans have enjoyed what has been dubbed by some a “Super Credit” for donations to their favourite charities. In the spirit of generosity in 2007, the Alberta Government enhanced the tax credit to 21% from 12.75% on total annual donations over $200. Combining this with the Federal Tax […]
Considering Costs in Estate Litigation
By Alexandra Tzannidakis, LL.B. A recent judgment from the Ontario Court of Appeal provides a good reminder to factor in the risk of paying costs before deciding whether to litigate a matter. In Sawdon Estate v Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Canada et al. [2014 ONCA 101], the court awarded a type of ‘blended’ […]