Here is the Blumbergs’ submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance for their Pre-budget Consultations 2013. Blumbergs’ House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance- Pre-budget Consultations 2013 submission Some of the themes I touched upon are more…
Wayne Gray, Allen Doppelt and myself will be presenting a webinar for the Canadian Bar Association on “Continuance Under the New Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act” “Continuance Under the New Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act Oct. 17, 2013 Presented live via webconference…
CRA recently released a letter which discusses whether two members of the clergy who are spouses, but own and reside in separate residences may claim the clergy residence deduction for their individual residence. A residential deduction is allowed under the…
I recently received updated numbers from Industry Canada on the CNCA. they show some progress but a lot more needs to be done. Here is what Industry Canada told me: How many CCA corporations have moved over to the new…
The CRA has updated their charitable donation tax credit calculator. It is interesting to play with the calculator but as we have warned before it can underestimate in some cases the amount of tax savings a person may get from…
There was an article recently in the Toronto Star regarding a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) audit of the Islamic Society of North America, a registered Canadian Charity. Here is the article in the Toronto Star: Also the article references…
The CRA has just posted a new guidance which will be very helpful for Canadian charities. It is called CG-019, How to Draft Purposes for Charitable Registration. Also the CRA has updated their model purposes. The purposes or legal objects…
We have provided the letters from the CRA to the International Relief Fund for the Afflicted and Needy Canada (IRFAN) when they were revoked for cause. IRFAN has now filed a Notice of Appeal with the Federal Court of Appeal…
The Charity Commission of England and Wales has published a very helpful guidance “It’s your decision: charity trustees and decision making”. Although there are difference between English and Canadian law the guide provides lots of useful information on how directors…
The National Post today had a story on IRFAN entitled “Relief organization that allegedly supported Hamas suspends operations after CIBC closes bank accounts”. The National Post notes: “A humanitarian relief organization that lost its charity status two years ago over…
Mark Rosenman has written an article “Silence Isn’t Golden” for Philantopic of the US Foundation Center. It is well worth reading. “Confronted by headlines about truly questionable practices at a few dozen charities, the response of too many nonprofit leaders…
In the past we posted the revocation letters from the Canada Revenue Agency to various registered charities in the Vancouver area including the Prescient Foundation (and also Essential Grace Foundation, Malachi_3_10_Foundation, and The Gateway Benevolent Society). A number of law…
I will be giving a presentation to Chapel & York on Fundraising from Canada on July 26th, 2013 in London, England. Here is a link to the description and registration details: Here is the blurb from Chapel & York:…
Many Aboriginal groups or bands either currently receive or could receive funding from Canadian charities and foundations. Some of these Aboriginal groups who are receiving funding do so on account of their special status of being a “municipal or public…
In this article I discuss the importance of Canadian charities involving professional advisors in their planned giving efforts. Planned Giving and Professional Advisors – The Why and How to Involve Professional Advisors in Canadian charities
In this article I provide some suggestions to charities in Canada as to how they can easily start a planned giving program for their charity. Starting a Basic Planned Giving Program for a Canadian Charity – A Lawyer’s Perspective
In this article I discuss different planned giving vehicles in Canada. What is planned giving?
In this article I discuss different planned giving vehicles in Canada. Download Article
In this article I provide some suggestions to charities in Canada as to how they can easily start a planned giving program for their charity. Download Article
In this article I discuss the importance of Canadian charities involving professional advisors in their planned giving efforts. Download Article
I recently wrote a short piece entitled “Asking a bigger question” that was distributed in the new Mackenzie Investments magazine entitled Mackenzie Strategic Philanthropy. My article dealt with the true cost of bringing resources into the sector. There are a…
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has put out an interesting report on “Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing: Vulnerabilities of Legal Professionals”. The report provides interesting case studies, red flags, examples and suggestions for avoiding involvement with money laundering and…
Confused about the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA)? In this article we have summarized some things that non-profits and charities should consider. Download Article
Confused about the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA)? In this article we have summarized some things that non-profits and charities should consider Here is the article: Governance Changes and responding to the New Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA)