Revoking a charity’s registration: The standard of review
Canadian Tax Focus, Volume 10, Number 3, August 2020, 10-11
In Ark Angel Foundation v. Canada (National Revenue) (2019 FCA 21), the minister’s decision to revoke the charitable status of the Ark Angel Foundation was upheld, apparently on the basis that the foundation had insufficient control and oversight over the use of...
Ransomware attack on cloud-services provider affects charities and not-for-profits
A company that supplies cloud fundraising and accounting software to the charity and not-for-profit sector announced yesterday that it experienced a ransomware attack in May 2020. Blackbaud is the company behind such programs as Raiser’s Edge NXT, eTapestry, and The...
Reopening Ontario’s places of worship: Some considerations
Church, synagogues and temples eager to re‑open for worship were undoubtedly excited by Ontario’s announcement on Monday, June 8, that places of worship would be allowed to open with physical distancing measures in place and attendance limited to “no more...
BC’s Lobbyists Transparency Act – New registration and reporting requirements
On May 4th, the Lobbyists Transparency Act came into effect, increasing registration and reporting requirements for all organizations (including not-for-profits) that lobby provincial employees or public office holders in British Columbia. “Lobbying” is defined broadly. It includes attempting to influence...
Corporations Canada releases simplified process to extend deadline to call annual meeting
Non-profit corporations incorporated federally under the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (“CNCA”) will benefit from a newly simplified process under which they can apply to extend the deadline for calling and holding their 2020 annual general meeting. CNCA corporations are required...
Enforceability of e-signatures during COVID-19 pandemic
While the COVID-19 pandemic is having an enormous impact on Canadian organizations, including those within the charitable and non-profit sector, they must continue to operate despite the “physical distancing” measures imposed by the government. This is especially true given that...
Relief plan in the works for the “entertainment industry” and other funding for arts, culture, and sports organizations
On Friday, April 17, federal Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault announced that the Government plans to give $500 million to the “entertainment industry”, which he defined as including arts, culture, and sports organizations. The Minister specifically mentioned “non-profits” as being possible...
(Another) Update on COVID-19 pandemic economic and tax measures for charities and not-for-profits
This topics in this article are changing rapidly as the COVID-19 crisis unfolds. As such, we encourage you to check with Miller Thomson LLP’s Social Impact group for timely updates. Canada’s federal government continues to announce new economic measures and...
COVID-19 pandemic economic and tax measures for charities and not-for-profits
Canada’s federal government continues to announce new economic measures to help stabilize the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Outlined below are the measures announced thus far by the federal government, along with expansions to existing programs, that are available to...
Accessing restricted funds amidst the COVID-19 crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting measures to encourage and enforce social distancing have resulted in a severe economic slowdown that is widely expected to lead to a deep recession, if not worse. This downturn has hit charities hard. Foundations have...
