Difficulties with Canada's charity regulations

Late last year, the C.D. Howe Institute published a white paper written by Adam Aptowitzer where he argued that because the federal government does not have the necessary jurisdiction to regulate charities, it is forced to use the registration system, through the Canada Revenue Agency, to enforce regulations more generally. This podcast provides further clarification and discussion of Aptowitzer's paper, and is of vital interest to anyone working in the nonprofit sector.

Difficulties with Canada's charity regulations

The CRA's model objects

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) recently published a list of model objects (charitable purposes) that nonprofit organizations can consult before applying for charitable status. Adam Aptowitzer, a lawyer with the Ottawa-based law firm Drache LLP, explains what these model objects are, and how they may help organizations get through the registrations process more quickly and with less difficulties along the way.

As the CRA website states, "If an organization uses a model object, the CRA will usually not need to discuss the wording of the object with you. This may speed up the decision making processes."

The CRA's model objects (MP3)

Applying for charitable status

Applying for charitable status through the Canada Revenue Agency can be a long and sometimes arduous process. But it will go a lot more smoothly if you are properly prepared. Adam Aptowitzer, a lawyer with the Ottawa-based law firm Drache LLP, explains what organizations must do before they apply, how to avoid common mistakes on your application, and what happens if your request is rejected.

Applying for charitable status (MP3)