policy

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A Step in the Right Direction provides a summary of the checklist and identifies a number of limitations with this new CRA tool.

Bill C-4, the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, passed its third Reading in the Senate and received Royal Assent in June 2009. The Bill should become law shortly. The Bill replaces the place the existing Canada Corporations Act that currently applies to nonprofit organizations. Organizations currently incorporated under the Canada Corporations Act have three years to apply for corporate status under the Not-For-Profit Corporations Act. There will be no fees for this process.

The City of Calgary is reviewing its Business Tax exemption and proposed changes would mean over 200 of Calgary’s nonprofit organizations would no longer be exempt, and would be required to pay business tax starting in 2010.

This February 2007 report from the Canadian Senate states that there have been no denials or revocations of charitable status under the Charities Registration (Security Information) Act, which is Part VI of the Anti-terrorism Act.

The report does not recommend any amendments to the Act, however, it does recommend that in the event that a charity’s status is denied or revoked under these Anti-terrorism laws, a special advocate should be able to participate in the proceedings to help ensure that procedural fairness is observed.

Article Introduction:

On April 11, 2006 the Federal Government introduced the Federal Accountability Act, which includes specific measures to help strengthen accountability and increase transparency and oversight in government operations. The Accountability Act is part of a larger Action Plan that includes supporting policy and other non-legislative measures, and a draft bill to amend the Access to Information Act.

Effective September 2003, this policy statement describes the type of advocacy work charities can and can’t do under current CRA policies and includes scenarios and examples. It also provides background information about why this new policy statement was developed.

The code recognizes that charities have “valuable experience, expertise, knowledge and ideas” that can contribute to “better public policies and programs for all Canadians.” It is clear that charities have an important role to play in the policy process, and their advocacy work can help government develop appropriate policy solutions that will support vibrant Canadian communities.

This act contains the statuatory provisions used to create the Do-Not-Call List's statuatory provisions around 'Unsolicited Communications'.