Articles

What happens when a charity trustee successfully sues a co-trustee to protect the charity’s funds, but expends more on legal fees than the amount in issue?

The beginning of a new term for the Charity and Not-for-Profit Law Section brought some changes to our Executive. We welcome our new members and thank our departing members for their invaluable contributions to our Section.

The 2011 Federal Budget was passed in the House of Commons on November 21, 2011 and received Royal Assent on December 15, 2011.

The Ontario Not-For-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 , which was passed in 2010, is expected to be proclaimed this year.

The Charity and Not-for-Profit Law Section Executive’s last meeting was held on April 3rd and was followed by a very informative presentation by Guy Giorno entitled “What you and your Charity Clients need to Know About Political Activities and Lobbying”.

CRA has recently released an updated version of its guidance on fundraising activities by registered charities. The new Guidance GC-013 Fundraising by Registered Charities, was issued on April 20, 2012, and replaces former Guidance CPS-028, which was originally released on June 11, 2009.

The Charity and Not-for-Profit Law Section continues to be very active and busy. Our Executive last met on January 17th and as usual had a very lively meeting and full discussion on various issues affecting the not-for-profit sector. 

Charities and not-for-profits can learn from two recent trade-mark disputes, both involving Waterloo, Ontario's Research in Motion Ltd., which made headlines over the past couple of months.

The Charity and Not-for-Profit program titled "Board Issues under the new Not-for-profit Corporations Acts: Potential Problems and Practical Solutions" presented at the 2012 OBA Institute, was, in my view, a resounding success.

Charities and non-profit organizations that provide reference letters to departing and former employees need to ensure that they are aware of the possible legal implications that such letters entail.