Aug 2019 Charity & NFP Law Update
Following up on the federal government’s commitment in the 2018 Fall Economic Statement to establish an advisory committee to provide advice to the Government of Canada with respect to important issues facing the charitable sector, as discussed in Charity & NFP Law Bulletin No. 435, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, announced on August 23, 2019 the full membership of the Advisory Committee on the Charitable Sector (“Committee”). The Committee was formed in response to recommendations made in the May 2017 Report of the Consultation Panel on the Political Activities of Charities, discussed in Charity & NFP Law Bulletin No. 403, and by the Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy Co-Creation Steering Group, discussed in the September 2018 Charity & NFP Law Update.
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier stated that “[b]y engaging in an ongoing dialogue with experts from the charitable sector, we can shape the regulatory environment so it supports and helps sustain the important work charities do in the world of today.”
Ms. Hilary Pearson and Mr. Bruce MacDonald from the charitable sector, and Mr. Geoff Trueman from the CRA, will co-chair the Committee, which is comprised of three senior Government officials (two from the CRA and one from Finance Canada), as well as 14 appointed sector members, including Terrance S. Carter of Carters Professional Corporation. The Committee will meet a minimum of twice per year and consult with the government to “engage in meaningful dialogue with the charitable sector, to advance emerging issues relating to charities, and to ensure the regulatory environment supports the important work that charities do.” Working groups will be formed as needed. The Committee will prepare reports for the Minister of National Revenue and the Commissioner of the CRA, summarizing its progress and providing recommendations for the charitable sector.