CRA revokes registrations of charities

Summary#

The Canada Revenue Agency published lists of charities whose registered status is being revoked in the Canada Gazette on February 24, 2024. Some charities are facing revocation because they missed required filings. Others asked the CRA to cancel their own registration.

What it does#

• Publishes two sets of notices in the Gazette:
  • A list of charities the CRA says failed to meet filing requirements and for which it proposes to revoke registration. The revocation is effective on the date of publication (February 24, 2024).
  • A separate list of charities that asked the CRA to have their registration revoked; those revocations are also effective on the date of publication (February 24, 2024).
• The notices were issued by Sharmila Khare, Director General, Charities Directorate, Canada Revenue Agency.

Who's affected#

• The primary people and organizations affected are the charities named in the two long lists published in the Gazette. Examples include MORRIS GRIEVER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION (a non-filing example) and THE DR. CHARLES H. BEST FOUNDATION (a requested revocation example). The full lists contain many community groups, churches, foundations and small charities across provinces.
• Local communities and clients served by those charities may notice changes if the organizations reduce activity or wind down after losing registered status.
• Donors, volunteers and funders connected to the named charities may also be affected.

Why it matters#

• Being removed from the list of registered charities is a formal change in status. That changes how the organization is treated under the tax system.
• In practical terms, this can affect a charity’s public standing and its ability to operate in the same way. Donors and local users of services may face changes in fundraising or programs while the organization sorts out its status.
• The Gazette publication makes the revocation public and gives anyone who needs to know (donors, partner organizations, regulators) an official record of the change.