A Step Forward For Charities: Senator Tables Bill To Reform Restrictive Rules

Early last week, Senator Ratna Omidvar tabled  Bill S-222, The Effective and Accountable Charities Act (the "Bill"), to break down barriers for Canadian charities working with other organizations, both in Canada and abroad.  The Bill, if enacted, will bring age old law and policy into the 21^st century at a time when charities, non-profits and grassroots organizations need support more than ever.   The proposed reforms have been met with applause by sector organizations, their stakeholders, and the communities they serve.

In June 2019, the Special Senate Committee on the Charitable Sector, led by Senator Omidvar and Senator Terry Mercer, published a report following a study of the impacts of current federal and provincial legislation on charities and non-profit organizations.  There is one set of rules in particular that poses challenges for charities across the spectrum—both big and small, whether operating domestically or abroad.  This is the "own activities"