Mark Blumberg and CLIP on Twitter to discuss Canadian charity law
I have started a small twitter channel at or It will focus on Canadian charity law issues and especially educational efforts to inforrm charities of their legal obligations.
News
News relating to Canadian non-profits and registered charities. To keep up-to-date subscribe to our newsletter.
CRA Removes Guide RC4108, Registered Charities and the Income Tax Act from their website
The CRA has recently removes Guide RC4108, Registered Charities and the Income Tax Act from their website. It was quite out of date and they have now placed the relevant material in other places on their website. “As of September…
Holy Alpha and Omega Church of Toronto – PartII – CRA wins case on injunction, direction and control
In an earlier blog () I had noted the case of Holy Alpha and Omega Church of Toronto. The Federal Court of Appeal heard the matter in September 2009 and here is the decision The case involved a charity…
Famine in Eastern and Sub-Saharan Africa
A number of NGOs have tried to spotlight the famine in Eastern and Sub-Saharan Africa and CIDA has just committed further funds to the problem. Here is an article by Kevin McCort of CARE Canada “We must make famine…
Canadian charities and fundraising contracts – factors to consider before signing
The Ontario Public Guardian and Trustee has produced a charity bulletin entitled Charitable Fundraising: Tips for Directors and Trustees. In that bulletin they list in “Appendix A: Factors to Consider Before Signing a Fundraising Contract”. Appendix A: Factors to Consider…
CRA supports additional charitable organizations’ innovative educational and training projects
The CRA has announced contribution funding for eight new projects under the Charities Partnership and Outreach Program (CPOP). One of the announced projects will be handled by the Ontario Community Support Association under its Charity Law Information Program (CLIP). The…
Ten Most Useful Features of the Canada Revenue Agency’s Charity Directorate Website
In this article I wrote for the Charity law information program it discusses the Ten Most Useful Features of the Canada Revenue Agency’s Charity Directorate Website for Charities. If you have not recently visited the site you might find that…
Charity Law Information Program (CLIP) Toronto workshops on charity law and risk management Oct 6/09
I will be delivering two workshops in Toronto on October 6, 2009 for the Charity Law Information Program (CLIP) of CapacityBuilders. For further information see the Toronto Brochure and registration information for CLIP. For a full list of workshops see: …
OCSA 2009 Great !deas Conference in Toronto – strategic planning, social enterprise speakers
The main page for the OCSA 2009 Conference is at The program is at I thought I would highlight a few interesting speakers namely Seb Elsworth, from the UK Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations(ACEVO) who will…
CRA provides commentary on Gifts to Certain Charitable Organizations Outside Canada and IC84-3R5
CRA has provided some more detail on how organizations are included in Attachment to IC84-3R5, Gifts to Certain Charitable Organizations Outside Canada. There are only about 5 organizations left on the list and perhaps this policy commentary will encourage the…
Canadian charities and holding shares of subsidiary corporation carrying on business
This CRA letter deals with “whether a charity’s status is at risk where the charity holds shares of a subsidiary corporation carrying on a business involving rental and sale of real estate” LANGIND E DOCNUM 2009-0306691E5 AUTHOR Demeter, Robert DESCKEY…
Canadian charities and intermediate sanctions by the Canada Revenue Agency
It used to be that if a registered charity was non-compliant CRA either revoked the charity or could do little about the non-compliance. The times have changed. With the introduction of “intermediate sanctions” CRA now has lots more flexibility in…
Charity Directorate Web Statistics for 2008/2009
Here are the 2008/2009 web statistics for the English part of the CRA website sorted by most visited pages. Mark Blumberg is a lawyer at Blumberg Segal LLP in Toronto, Ontario. He can be contacted at mark@blumbergs.ca or at 416-361-1982.…
Terry de March stepping down as Director General of the Charities Directorate – but staying at CRA
It was with sadness that I read that Terry de March will be stepping down as Director General of the Charities Directorate. Thankfully he is not going far. While Terry de March is leaving his position of Director General, Charities…
CRA consultation on foreign activities – some key points
The CRA in June released their “Consultation on the Proposed Guidance on Activities Outside of Canada for Canadian Registered Charities”. The Consultation is at Here is a copy of an earlier paper that I delivered to the 2009…
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), Charity Directorate, consultations and guidance documents for 2008-2009
Here is a copy of an article I wrote for the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) National Charities and Not-for-Profit Law Section newsletter Charity Talk– A busy year: CRA consultations and guidance documents for 2008-2009 Mark Blumberg is a lawyer at…
Upcoming Charity Law Presentations in Canada by Mark Blumberg for CapacityBuilders
A list of some of my upcoming workshops for CapacityBuilders. In September, October and November I will be delivering workshops in a number of different cities across Canada. Mark Blumberg is a lawyer at Blumberg Segal LLP in Toronto, Ontario. …
Insight Canadian Non-Profit and Charity Law Conference in Toronto – November 23-24, 2009
I am the program chair for a conference organized by Insight that will be held November 23 – 24, 2009 at the St. Andrew’s Club and Conference Centre at 150 King Street West, Toronto. The Conference is called NON-PROFIT and…
Giving Beyond Borders – Easier than you Think – presentation to Philanthropic Foundations Canada
Here is a copy of the flyer for a presentation that I will be delivering to Philanthropic Foundations Canada on September 15, 2009 as part of their 2009 Professional Development Sessions Here is the text of the flyer: Giving Beyond…
CRA Announces 2009 Charities Information Sessions (formerly Roadshows)
The CRA has begun announcing their free 2009 Charities Information Sessions (formerly Roadshows).
MANGO to deliver training in Ottawa in October for international development finance trainers
Mango (Management Accounting for Non Governmental Organizations) is a UK registered charity that works to strengthen the financial management of Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs). It has a very good reputation for providing training and resources to international development organizations. They…
Ontario Public Guardian and Trustee’s Tips for Managing Fundraising Risks
Here are the Ontario Public Guardian and Trustee’s Tips for Managing Fundraising Risks. Tips for Managing Fundraising Risks Directors and trustees who wish to avoid complaints about a charity’s fundraising practices and the use of charitable property should follow the…
North Korea, Canadian sanctions and Canadian charities – toughened sanctions
Canadian charities operating in North Korea must pay close attention to Canadian sanctions. These sanctions were recently tightened. Canadian Economic Sanctions Update – 31 July 2009 Entry into force of the Regulations Amending the Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolution…
CRA releases fillable T2050 Application to Register a Charity Under the Income Tax Act
The Charities Directorate of the Canada Revenue Agency just released a fillable T2050 Application for charitable status which will make it easier for organizations to complete the form and presumably make it more legible. You can obtain a copy of…