Limits On Lobbying By Canadian Charities

You've just joined the board of directors of a registered charity. One of your organization's charitable purposes is to protect the natural habitat of the white-collared amphibious wasp, a not-quite-endangered species that lives between downtown Toronto and the Toronto Islands in the summer months.

To advance the organization's objectives, the Board has recently decided to call for action by the federal and provincial governments. You've been tasked with arranging meetings with Cabinet ministers, their staff and officials.

You're about to make your first call when it hits you: Is this lobbying? Can we do that?

Canadian charities are allowed to lobby. In doing so, however, they must respect certain restrictions and registration requirements. Charities, their staff, directors, and supporters should take time to understand their obligations under federal, provincial, and municipal law.