We obtained today a copy of the Jewish National Fund of Canada Notice of Appeal.
It is interesting in that it gives a better sense than the press releases from JNF Canada of what the general areas of CRA concern are. The Notice of Appeal is challenging CRA’s conclusions namely:
“a. failed to be constituted for exclusively charitable purposes;
b. lacked direction and control over the use of resources and provided resourcing to non-qualified donees;
c. conducted non-charitable activities; and
d. failed to maintain adequate books and records.”
Once we have the letters between the parties there will be much more information available as to the facts that were of concern to CRA and how JNF has responded over the last 10 or so years. It is unfortunate that JNF Canada is not releasing those letters and also that CRA is forbidden by the confidentiality provisions of the ITA from releasing those letters until the revocation has actually gone through. As I have argued in my submissions to Finance over the last decade, the ITA needs to be changed so that CRA can provide information to the public when there is allegedly serious non-compliance.