There was a recent article from the JTA and appearing in the Jerusalem Post “Canadian crackdown on Israel-linked charities raises concerns in Jewish community“. The article represents a number of very different perspectives relating to the JNF Canada revocation and also the revocation of the Ne’eman Foundation and suspension of The Emunim Fund.
A few quick points I would add.
First, JNF Canada has known since 1989 that CRA has serious concerns about its operations. JNF Canada had 35 years to bring their operations into compliance with Canadian law and for some reason that is hard for me to understand they did not do it.
Second, there are about 600 pages of correspondence between JNF and CRA just over the last 12 or so years and probably hundreds of pages of other correspondence that we don’t have. Before making up your mind, I recommend reading the material, especially the 1989 CRA letter and recent correspondence between CRA and JNF Canada.
Third, while I have complained that CRA is not doing their job when they are aware of significant non-compliance and let it continue for 10-20 years, I have never seen a case where it went on for 35 years. It is important that registered charities don’t think that the past equals the future when it comes to CRA timelines or that 35 years is anything normal. The Emunim Fund was registered as a charity in April 2024, CRA became aware in August of concerns and suspended its charitable status in September 2024. For Canadian charities wondering about non-compliance expect that CRA action will be much quicker and also that the public will become aware of the non-compliance much more quickly. Make sure that you are aware of CRA expectations and meeting those expectations.
Fourth, Muslim groups have complained about Jewish and other groups making allegations that Muslim groups were doing inappropriate activities. Jewish groups have complained that Muslim and other groups have been complaining about their activities being inappropriate. For some supporters of some of these groups, this may seem like a convincing argument ie. ‘It is just those detractors who are the problem’. In reality, anyone can complain about a charity – but unless there is actual and serious non-compliance CRA will not be revoking a charity or perhaps even auditing the charity. In other words, some charities are revoked with no public complaints and others happen to be revoked with lots of public complaints. The public complaints are not the issue – it is the serious non-compliance that results in suspensions, penalties, and revocation. In my view the best way to avoid CRA compliance action is to bring in an appropriate compliance system as early as possible that covers the main concerns of CRA. It is not to launch a sophisticated social media strategy claiming you are a victim and attacking CRA.
If you don’t understand or don’t care about CRA compliance requirements for registered charities, then my suggestion is to do everyone, especially including yourself, a favour and find a job outside the charitable sector. There are many talented people in the charity sector that could find work elsewhere. If you are a senior staff or board member of a Canadian registered charity that is revoked for serious non-compliance not only could it negatively affect your reputation but it could make you an ineligible individual which might make you ineligible to be involved in the leadership of any Canadian charity for 5 years or in some cases longer.