Charities

After over ten years of waiting, the “Ontario Not‑for‑profit Corporations Act” (ONCA) will finally be proclaimed into force on October 19, 2021!

August 18th, 2021 by Iler Campbell

The Ontario government remains optimistic about the legislation, and anticipates that ONCA will simplify the incorporation process, clarify rules for governing a corporation, enhance members’ rights, as well as give members greater access to financial records.

The legislation, which passed in 2010, will be the legal framework under which most provincially incorporated not‑for‑profit corporations will operate come October 19th. More specifically, it will apply to every corporation that does not have share capital and is incorporated under an act of the Ontario legislature, other than the Co‑operative Corporations Act.

ONCA will bring lots of change to the regulatory landscape, and corporations will have three years after proclamation to comply with the new rules. As a result, provincially incorporated not‑for‑profit corporations will need to review their governing documents, and make any necessary changes within three years, to ensure compliance with ONCA. Continue reading “After over ten years of waiting, the “Ontario Not‑for‑profit Corporations Act” (ONCA) will finally be proclaimed into force on October 19, 2021!”

Lack of diversity on non-profit boards is rooted in privilege

February 25th, 2021 by Shelina Ali

 

Last December, Statistics Canada undertook a crowdsourced survey of non-profit and charity boards in Canada to assess the diversity of individuals serving on those boards. The survey was completed by 8,835 board members. Of those members who responded, 14 per cent identified as being immigrants to Canada; 11 per cent identified as belonging to a visible minority group; eight per cent identified as LGBTQ2+; six per cent identified as persons with a disability; and three per cent identified as First Nations, Métis or Inuit. Continue reading “Lack of diversity on non-profit boards is rooted in privilege”

Reflections on the WE fiasco

December 18th, 2020 by Brian Iler

This article was first published on rabble.ca

I watched last summer’s WE Charity brouhaha with particular interest.

An apparently hugely successful charity and social enterprise empire, WE Charity found itself vilified in the media, resulting in the loss of donors and the eventual closing of its Canadian operation. The fallout even saw the resignation of Finance Minister Bill Morneau. Continue reading “Reflections on the WE fiasco”

Voluntary organizations and member disputes take another trip to the Supreme Court

September 30th, 2020 by Ted Hyland

According to a June 2020 Statistics Canada study, in 2018 more than 12.7 million people in Canada volunteered for charities, non-profits and community organizations, contributing more than 1.6 billion hours. While not all are members of the organizations for which they volunteer, many are.

Under what circumstances does their membership have the legal status that will attract a judge’s jurisdiction and oversight, particularly when there are disputes leading to the expulsion or other discipline of members? This question is again headed to the Supreme Court of Canada for an answer later this fall.

The question is not an abstract one. It involves the interplay between the rights of the members and the discretion of those in charge of the organizations to make decisions that affect their members’ rights. If a member is dissatisfied with the decision, can they go to court?

Continue reading “Voluntary organizations and member disputes take another trip to the Supreme Court”

Client Profile: St. Clare’s celebrates opening 22 new deeply affordable housing units

September 16th, 2020 by Iler Campbell

The new building with its cut-steel artwork adorning the balconies.

St. Clare’s Multifaith Housing Society is a charitable organization that provides affordable mixed-income housing in downtown Toronto. St. Clare’s was formed in 1998 by people who knew that the only way to end homelessness was to build affordable housing. This summer, St. Clare’s celebrated the opening of 22 new deeply affordable units in Toronto’s Kensington Market neighborhood.

Continue reading “Client Profile: St. Clare’s celebrates opening 22 new deeply affordable housing units”

Client Profile: How the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto is navigating COVID‑19

July 9th, 2020 by Iler Campbell

Audrey King, a Direct Funding program participant since 1995, and her attendant, Louis George wearing face shields as part of the personal protective equipment used to keep each other safe.

Through the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, information about where to find precious commodities like masks and gloves and other personal protective equipment (PPE) items was shared and traded by many, particularly by individuals with disabilities who need regular physical assistance with activities of daily living like showering and dressing. Many people checked with traditional sources like medical supply stores, online retailers and big box stores, but not everyone would think to order surgical masks from their local convenience store to be delivered the same day, no less, via a food delivery and takeout app.

This unique suggestion came from one Toronto man in a Zoom call with a few dozen other participants of the Direct Funding program, which is administered by the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT). The participants are funded by the program to hire and manage the workers who assist them through the day; since it is impossible to maintain physical distance when one person is helping another to take a shower, PPE is critical for the health and safety of both individuals.

Continue reading “Client Profile: How the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto is navigating COVID‑19”