Charity Registrations Revoked for Filing Failures

Summary#

The Canada Revenue Agency published a notice that it intends to revoke the charitable registration of a long list of organizations under the Income Tax Act because they failed to meet filing requirements. The revocations are effective on the date the notice appeared in the Canada Gazette: January 20, 2024.

What it does#

• Lists specific charities (by business number, name and location) that the Canada Revenue Agency proposes to revoke for not filing required returns under the Income Tax Act.
• Says the revocation is effective on the date the notice was published in the Canada Gazette: January 20, 2024.
• Gives the full list of affected organizations in the Gazette notice so each charity can be identified.
• The notice is signed by Sharmila Khare, Director General, Charities Directorate.

Who's affected#

• The organizations named in the Gazette notice (examples include SOCIÉTÉ CANADIENNE DE LA SCLÉROSE EN PLAQUES, SECTION LAVAL, ALL NATIONS CHURCH SUDBURY, DENTONIA PARK UNITED CHURCH, and many other local churches, societies and small foundations).
• Donors to those organizations, because a revoked registration generally means the group is no longer a registered charity and cannot issue official donation receipts.
• People who rely on services, programs or community activities run by the listed groups, including clients, volunteers and staff.
• It is not specified in the notice whether each organization has already been given other opportunities to comply or to appeal; the Gazette simply lists the groups and the stated reason (failure to meet filing requirements).

Why it matters#

• Losing registered charity status can reduce an organization’s ability to raise funds, because donors typically want official tax receipts.
• Local services and programs run by small charities or faith groups could be disrupted if funding or formal status is lost.
• If you are a donor, volunteer, staff member or service user of a named group, check the full Gazette list and contact the organization or the Canada Revenue Agency to find out the current status and any next steps.