Not-for-Profit and Charity Law: CHARITY LAW NEWS

October 2006

Talking About Charities 2006

News Release - http://www.muttart.org/download/TAC2006/TAC-NewsRelease.pdf

October 19, 2006 - The Muttart Foundation has released “Talking About Charities 2006,” a public opinion poll to survey Canadians on their views about charities and issues affecting charities.

The 2006 study is the third wave of a research initiative. Previous surveys were conducted in 2000 and 2004. The Foundation has committed to repeating the study in 2008.

From this website, you can obtain a copy of the report, charts that graphically demonstrate results on either a national and demographic or provincial basis, or detailed tables showing responses based on various demographic factors. Click on the item you would like to see.

The Foundation would welcome your feedback on the value of the survey and how you use it. You can send an e-mail to bwyatt@muttart.org.

September 2006
New process for organizations applying for re-registration
To access further inforamtion on the requirements see
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/charities/newregistration-e.html

August 2006

MP Keddy announces the signing of a contribution agreement with a Nova Scotia charity
HALIFAX, Aug. 31 /CNW Telbec/ - Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for
South Shore-St. Margaret's, today announced on behalf of the Honourable Carol
Skelton, Minister of National Revenue the signing of a contribution agreement
with the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia (LISNS) that will see
charities create educational programs to support other charities in their
efforts to meet their regulatory obligations. This is the first contribution
agreement signed under the Canada Revenue Agency's (CRA) Charities Partnership
and Outreach program, which will support compliance-related education and
training projects for charities.
"Canada's new government is making it easier for charities to do their
important work in their communities," said Mr. Keddy. "Charities play an
invaluable role in helping Canadians and building our sense of community. The
Charities Partnership and Outreach Program reinforces our recognition of the
necessity of charitable giving, and the important contribution that the
thousands of Canadian registered charities make in improving our society." Mr.
Keddy also emphasized that Canadians must have access to information that
makes laws understandable.
The Charities Partnership and Outreach Program is an important part of
the Canada Revenue Agency's efforts to modernize the regulation of charities.
The LISNS will educate, inform and raise awareness of registered charities in
the Atlantic region with respect to their legal obligations under the Income
Tax Act and its regulations. This initiative is a major milestone, innovative
in its approach and well received by the voluntary sector. Charities or
non-profit organizations can get more information about the Program and how to
apply for funding by visiting the Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/charities.
To determine which projects to support, the CRA consulted members of the
voluntary sector and other government departments before selecting the
proposal submitted by the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia. In putting
the Program's objectives into practice, LISNS will educate, inform and raise
awareness among registered charities of their reporting responsibilities under
the Income Tax Act, and will extend its reach beyond Nova Scotia to cover all
four Atlantic Provinces.
"The Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia is proud to have been
selected to undertake this important project," said Dan MacRury, Chair of the
LISNS Board. "The benefits will be significant for charities in the Atlantic
provinces - and across the country."
"Legal documents and forms can be intimidating and confusing," added
Maria Franks, Executive Director of LISNS. "This initiative will go a long way
to helping charities to navigate them."
Canada's new government recognizes the value of charitable giving and the
important contribution that Canada's more than 82,000 registered charities
make towards improving the quality of life in our nation. The federal
government is working with its partners in the provinces and territories and
the voluntary sector to improve the regulation of the charitable sector for
the benefit of all Canadians.

For further information: contact: Jacqueline Couture, Media Relations,
Canada Revenue Agency, (613) 952-9184; Michael Winterburn, Director of
Communications, Office of the Minister of National Revenue, (613) 995-2960

July 2006
Alberta - MacEwan launches post-diploma certificate aimed at current and prospective executive directors and program level senior managers. http://www.macewan.ca/vsm

January 2006
Enhancements to the Charities Directorate Website including links to newly registered, revoked or annulled charities