Charity Registrations Revoked; Trade Tribunal Hearings

Summary#

This Canada Gazette entry records that the Canada Revenue Agency has revoked the registered charity status of a long list of organizations under the Income Tax Act, effective on the date the notice was published (October 17, 2020). The same Gazette notice also lists upcoming public hearings and procurement inquiries by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, and two permissions from the Public Service Commission allowing public servants to run in municipal elections on November 9, 2020.

What it does#

• Announces that the registration of many charities was revoked at the charities’ own request. The revocations are effective as of October 17, 2020.
• Publishes details of tribunal hearings by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal:
  • Pier 1 Imports (U.S.) Inc. v. President of the Canada Border Services Agency — hearing by videoconference on November 18 and 19, 2020 about the value-for-duty of imported decorative home furnishings (Appeal No. AP-2019-047).
  • A hearing on November 20, 2020 in appeals involving Western Alliance Tubulars Ltd., Victoria International Tubular Corporation, Algoma Tubes Inc., Prudential Steel ULC and Tenaris Global Services (Canada) Inc. about whether certain insulated tubing falls within existing anti-dumping and countervailing orders.
• Announces that the Canadian International Trade Tribunal decided to open two procurement inquiries:
  • On October 6, 2020, an inquiry into a complaint from 1091847 Ontario Ltd. about a Shared Services Canada solicitation for cyber security goods and services (alleging restrictive specifications and other issues).
  • On October 2, 2020, an inquiry into a complaint from Weir-Jones Engineering Ltd. about a Public Works procurement for an earthquake early warning system (alleging terms encourage IP infringement).
• Notes two permissions from the Public Service Commission allowing public servants to seek municipal office:
  • Melissa Maddocks was given permission to run for Councillor and Deputy Mayor in the Town of Hanley, Saskatchewan (municipal election November 9, 2020).
  • Don McCarron was given permission to run for Councillor in the Village of Vibank, Saskatchewan (municipal election November 9, 2020).

Who's affected#

• The many charities named in the notice (across several provinces). Their registration status was revoked as published.
• People who donate to, volunteer with, or receive services from those charities may notice practical changes.
• Companies and importers involved in the tribunal appeals (for example, Pier 1 Imports (U.S.) Inc. and the tubular-products companies) and businesses that bid on related government procurements.
• Complainants and potential bidders affected by the procurement inquiries (for example, 1091847 Ontario Ltd. and Weir-Jones Engineering Ltd.) and the government departments running those solicitations (Shared Services Canada, Public Works and Government Services / Department of Natural Resources).
• Voters and officials in the Town of Hanley and Village of Vibank, and the two public servants named (Melissa Maddocks, Don McCarron).

Why it matters#

• Revocation of charity registration changes an organization’s formal tax status. That can affect whether it can issue official donation receipts and may change how it operates or raises funds.
• The tribunal hearings could affect import duties, the scope of existing trade remedies, and whether certain products face anti-dumping or countervailing measures — with consequences for manufacturers, importers, and prices.
• Procurement inquiries can change outcomes or lead to revisions in how government buys goods and services, which matters to companies that compete for federal contracts.
• The Public Service Commission permissions are routine transparency measures showing which public servants have been allowed to run in municipal elections.