Iler Campbell Supports the Black Out Speak Out Campaign

June 1st, 2012 by Iler Campbell LLP

We’ve joined millions of Canadians to speak out in defence of two core Canadian values: Nature and Democracy.

Our land, water and climate are all threatened by the latest federal budget. Proposes changes in the budget bill will weaken environmental laws and silence the voices of those who seek to defend them.

On June 4th, we will black out our website and blog in support of the Black Out Speak Out campaign.

Be sure to visit the campain website to learn about what this bill will mean if it’s passed.

If you’ve been following our blog you’ll already have read about a number of the issues including how changes to the Income Tax Act will restrict charities’ political activities, and how proposed changes to fish habitat provisions of the Fisheries Act will impact fish species.

Please join us in supporting this campaign.

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An erosion of labour rights in Canada? It’s starting to look that way

May 31st, 2012 by Priya Sarin

Over the past 12 months, a number of pundits, academics and pollsters have suggested that support for unions and the labour movement is on the decline in Canada. Capitalizing on this perceived shift in attitude, Conservative members of both federal and provincial legislatures have taken the opportunity to advance their own agenda and arguably weaken the bargaining power of Canadian unions relative to employers. Some actions, such as repeated use of back-to-work legislation by Federal Labour Minister Lisa Raitt have left many wondering what the future of collective bargaining will look like in Canada and whether or not workers will have a “right to strike” going forward.

Read more on rabble.ca

A Question of Fairness: Recent Court Decisions on Evictions by Non-profit Housing Co-operatives

May 29th, 2012 by Shelina Ali

Housing co‑operatives occasionally have to face the unpleasant task of evicting one of their members, usually for arrears, but often for serious behavioural problems.  These evictions can be based on committing a crime on the property, or “lesser” behavioural problems, such as frequent loud parties or errant, but frightening, dogs which are a safety risk. The co‑operative board can make a decision to evict the member, but if the member does not voluntarily leave, then the co‑op must make an application to the Superior Court to have the court order an eviction.

Continue reading “A Question of Fairness: Recent Court Decisions on Evictions by Non-profit Housing Co-operatives”

New Ontario Not-for-Profit Act Update

May 25th, 2012 by Brian Iler

From Wednesday’s Ministry advisory committee meeting:

  • Target proclamation date is January 1, 2013.
  • Incorporation will be available on line and instant – This is great news. The current process involves weeks long waiting periods.
  • A Guide to the new Act, transition checklist and default bylaw will be available this summer. (We’ve had substantial input into the drafting of these.)

We’ll keep you updated with new news as we hear it.

Ontario Human Rights Commission launches new policy to address when rights collide

May 16th, 2012 by Celia Chandler

Smokers and non smokers living side by side; staff with guide dogs and others who are allergic to dogs working in the same office; religious based education and gay straight alliances – these are the kinds of clashes that the new “Policy on Competing Human Rights” is intended to address.

Continue reading “Ontario Human Rights Commission launches new policy to address when rights collide”

Changes to the Income Tax Act will restrict charities’ political activities

May 15th, 2012 by Paula Boutis

On April 26, 2012, the federal government introduced Bill C‑38, which contains proposed changes to the Income Tax Act (Canada) (ITA) affecting charities and how political activities are to be accounted for, in the context of a gift from one charity to another.

We provide a brief summary of the current legislative provisions, the proposed changes, and the impact of the changes on charitable foundations and organizations.
Continue reading “Changes to the Income Tax Act will restrict charities’ political activities”