Ontario DeMolay Revocation; PSC Approves Candidate

Summary#

• The Canada Gazette published two routine notices on November 23, 2024.
• One is a proposed revocation of registration for the charity Ontario DeMolay Foundation (business number 890947542RR0001) under the Income Tax Act. The other says the Public Service Commission of Canada has allowed Oliver Parker to seek election and given him unpaid leave during the election period for a provincial race in Burlington, Ontario, to be held on or before June 4, 2026.

What it does#

• Revocation notice:
  • Announces a proposed revocation of the registration of the Ontario DeMolay Foundation (business number 890947542RR0001) for failing to meet parts of the Income Tax Act.
  • States the revocation will be effective on the date the notice appears in the Canada Gazette (November 23, 2024).
• Public Service Commission action:
  • The Public Service Commission of Canada gave permission, under the Public Service Employment Act, for Oliver Parker (an employee of Employment and Social Development Canada) to seek nomination and to be a candidate in the provincial electoral district of Burlington.
  • It also granted him a leave of absence without pay for the election period, effective the first day he is a candidate during that period.

Who's affected#

• The main parties named:
  • Ontario DeMolay Foundation and its supporters, donors, volunteers, and any people or programs that rely on the charity.
  • Oliver Parker and his employer, Employment and Social Development Canada.
  • Voters in the provincial electoral district of Burlington, Ontario, who may see a public servant on the ballot.
• The notice does not spell out other affected groups. It is not clear from the notice whether there are immediate administrative or financial consequences beyond the change of registration status for the charity.

Why it matters#

• For the charity: a revocation of registration removes a charity’s registered status. The Gazette notice does not list practical details, but that change commonly affects a charity’s ability to operate as a registered charity and to issue official donation receipts — which matters to donors and beneficiaries.
• For the public service and voters: the Commission’s decision shows how public servants can be allowed to run for elected office and take unpaid leave while campaigning. Voters in Burlington may want to know a candidate’s current employment background.