Charity Revocation and Tribunal Notices

Summary#

This Canada Gazette notice (Part I, published July 8, 2023) collects several short commission items. It includes a proposed revocation of the charity Canadian Friends of Cuban Jewry under the Income Tax Act, a partially upheld procurement complaint by Steeple Incorporated against Simex Defence Inc. decided by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, a separate Tribunal inquiry into a complaint from Dannis Communications Inc. d.b.a. Mercuri Conferencing about a Shared Services Canada procurement, and routine postings from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission with a comment deadline of July 24, 2023.

What it does#

• The Canada Revenue Agency issued a notice saying it intends to revoke the registration of Canadian Friends of Cuban Jewry and that the revocation will be effective on the date this notice was published in the Gazette (July 8, 2023).
• The Canadian International Trade Tribunal issued a determination (file PR-2022-066, decision dated June 26, 2023) finding the complaint by Steeple Incorporated about a Department of National Defence contract for non‑metallic hoses was valid in part.
• The Canadian International Trade Tribunal decided to open an inquiry (file PR-2023-018, decision dated June 27, 2023) into a complaint by Dannis Communications Inc. d.b.a. Mercuri Conferencing about a Shared Services Canada solicitation for conferencing services. Mercuri alleges the bidder closing date was not reasonably extended.
• The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission posted several license applications and one order (including an order published June 28, 2023). The public deadline to submit interventions or comments on listed applications is July 24, 2023.

Who's affected#

• Canadian Friends of Cuban Jewry and its donors and clients — the charity’s registration and related tax benefits are at issue.
• Companies that bid on government contracts for hoses and related supplies, especially Steeple Incorporated, Simex Defence Inc., and the Department of National Defence.
• Suppliers of conferencing and operator-assisted services who bid on Shared Services Canada work, and Dannis Communications Inc. d.b.a. Mercuri Conferencing in particular.
• Broadcasters and stations listed in the CRTC postings (for example, applicants such as United Christian Broadcasters Media Canada and Bell Media Inc.) and members of the public who may want to comment by July 24, 2023.

Why it matters#

• A charity losing its registration can affect donors’ ability to claim charitable tax receipts and can change how the organization operates or funds its activities.
• Tribunal decisions and inquiries can alter who wins government contracts, which affects business revenue, jobs, and who supplies goods and services to the government.
• The CRTC postings are part of routine broadcasting oversight; public comments can influence whether local radio or television licences are renewed or changed.