Charity Revocations and CRTC Notices

Summary#

This Canada Gazette item (published June 10, 2023) reports two routine government notices. The Canada Revenue Agency is proposing or preparing to revoke the registrations of a large number of charities for failing to meet parts of the Income Tax Act or to file required returns. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission posted several licence applications, decisions and deadlines for public comment.

What it does#

• Canada Revenue Agency

  • Sent a notice of proposed revocation for THE OLD ROAD FOUNDATION OF CANADA/LA FONDATION OLD ROAD DU CANADA because it allegedly failed to meet parts of the Income Tax Act.
  • Sent notices of intention to revoke the registration of dozens of other charities for not meeting filing requirements under the Income Tax Act. The Gazette lists many named organizations from across Canada (religious groups, community groups, museums, day cares and others).

• Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

  • Posted applications and invitations for public comment on broadcasting matters that were posted between May 26, 2023 and June 1, 2023.
  • Listed specific application deadlines, for example:
    • Rogers-related filing: comment deadline June 30, 2023.
    • CHOC-FM (Saint-Raymond): comment deadline June 28, 2023.
    • CFCM-DT (Québec City) application by TVA Group Inc.: comment deadline July 4, 2023.
  • Published administrative decisions and formal decisions (some dated June 1, 2023) affecting broadcasters such as Bell Media and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Who's affected#

• Charities named in the Gazette (and their boards, staff, volunteers and clients). Note: the list includes many small local groups and churches across several provinces.
• Donors and supporters of those charities who care about a group's registered status.
• Broadcasters, radio/TV station applicants and licensees named in the CRTC postings.
• Members of the public and other stakeholders who may want to submit comments to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission before the listed deadlines.

Why it matters#

• Losing registered charity status can change a group’s tax standing and its ability to issue official donation receipts. That can affect fundraising, finances and services for communities that rely on those organizations.
• The CRTC postings and deadlines are the public’s opportunity to see proposed changes to local broadcasting licences and to make their views known. Decisions can affect which radio or TV services are available locally and under what terms.
• These are routine regulatory notices, but they have concrete effects on the operations and funding of community organizations and on local media.