Charity Revocations and Public Service Permissions

Summary#

The Canada Revenue Agency published notices that it is revoking the registered charity status of one foundation and revoking or proposing to revoke the registration of many other charities for failing to meet requirements under the Income Tax Act. The revocations are effective on the date the notices were published in the Canada Gazette (September 7, 2024).
The Public Service Commission of Canada also published permission and leave decisions allowing three federal employees to seek elected office in upcoming elections.

What it does#

• Cancels the charitable registration of HAJI USMAN DAWOOD CHOKSI FAMILY FOUNDATION (listed by the CRA) for not meeting parts of the Income Tax Act. The notice says the revocation is effective on publication (September 7, 2024).
• Proposes revocation (for failing to file required returns) of a long list of charities. The Canada Gazette prints their names and business numbers; the notices say those revocations are effective on publication (September 7, 2024).
• Grants permission and leave for public servants to run for office:
  • Zbigniew Strycharz (employed at Canada Revenue Agency) was given permission to seek nomination and to be a candidate in the Elmwood–Transcona federal by‑election on September 16, 2024, and was granted leave without pay effective immediately.
  • Victor Veiga (employed at Transport Canada) was given permission to seek nomination and to be a candidate for the federal election to be held on or before October 20, 2025; leave without pay will begin the first day he is a candidate during the election period.
  • Jennifer McDonald (employed at Employment and Social Development Canada) was given permission to seek nomination and to be a candidate for Councillor in the Town of Bridgewater municipal election on October 19, 2024.

Who's affected#

• The charities named in the Gazette (one singled out separately and dozens listed for non‑filing). Many are small local organizations, schools, societies and foundations across provinces.
• Donors and clients of those charities — for example, people who give donations or receive services from the listed organizations.
• The three named public servants (Zbigniew Strycharz, Victor Veiga, Jennifer McDonald), their federal employers, and coworkers who may see staffing changes while the employees are on leave.
• Voters in the affected electoral districts (Elmwood–Transcona, Vaughan–Woodbridge) and the Town of Bridgewater, who may see these people on the ballot.

Why it matters#

• Losing registered charity status usually means an organization can no longer issue official donation receipts and may lose other tax-related benefits. That can reduce fundraising and affect services or programs run by the charity.
• People who donated expecting a tax receipt may lose that tax benefit for donations made while the organization is not registered.
• Permission and leave for public servants to run for office is a routine administrative step. It means the named employees can be candidates and will be on leave from their federal jobs during campaign periods, which can temporarily change who does their government work.
• The Gazette notices are the formal public record of these actions; the listings allow affected charities, donors and the public to see which organizations and employees are involved.