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PODCAST

The Canadian Charity Law Podcast

Staff at B.I.G. Charity Law Group Professional Corporation

Exploring the ins-and-outs of Canadian Charity Law in a way that can be understood by the layperson, including Charity Registration, Not-for-Profit Incorporation, Charity Governance, Charity Fundraising, Tax Receipting, and much more!

business non-profit

All Episodes

20:32

Investment Policy for Canadian Charities: The Five...

The Canadian Charity Law Podcast ·

2026/04/22

Managing charitable assets requires navigating a complex intersection of provincial legislation and federal tax regulations. Canadian charity boards must identify their specific legal investment powers, as founding documents or private acts can often override general provincial rules. Establishing a formal investment policy is essential for demonstrating fiduciary compliance and protecting directors from liability during audits. Boards must also distinguish between social investments

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21:29

Employment Nightmares: How Ontario Charity Directors...

The Canadian Charity Law Podcast ·

2026/04/15

This episode provides a comprehensive legal framework for directors of Ontario charities to manage complex employment law risks. It details critical compliance areas such as the classification of workers, the necessity of enforceable employment contracts, and the implementation of robust volunteer management structures. Furthermore, the discussion highlights the importance of adhering to human rights legislation, workplace safety standards, and accessibility requirements to prevent costly

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21:25

The Hidden Risks of Sitting on a Canadian Nonprofit...

The Canadian Charity Law Podcast ·

2026/04/10

This episode details the legal and fiduciary obligations inherent in serving on the board of a Canadian charity. It warns that volunteer status does not shield directors from personal liability, particularly regarding unpaid taxes and financial mismanagement. To mitigate these risks, we recommend maintaining D&O insurance, reducing board size, and utilizing specialized committees for deeper oversight. Effective governance requires active supervision of staff and the occasional use of

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13:38

The $4.8 Million Receipt That Arrived Before the...

The Canadian Charity Law Podcast ·

2026/03/31

The Canada Revenue Agency recently revoked the charitable status of the Moon Gate Foundation following a fraudulent multi-million dollar tax receipt scheme. The organization issued a donation receipt for publicly traded shares based on their high market value in early 2021, despite not taking legal ownership of the assets until late 2022. By the time the transfer actually occurred, the shares had plummeted in value by over 90%, resulting in an inflated tax windfall for the donor. This case

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18:46

Charity Law Updates: Spring 2026

The Canadian Charity Law Podcast ·

2026/03/26

This episode outlines significant regulatory updates affecting Canadian registered charities and non-profit organizations in 2026. A primary shift involves the mandatory transition to digital filing through the Canada Revenue Agency’s online portal, effectively ending the use of traditional fax machines. Furthermore, the government has eliminated pre-approval services for changing charitable purposes, placing the burden of legal compliance and risk directly on the organizations themselves

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22:09

Corporate Charitable Foundations and the Canadian Tax...

The Canadian Charity Law Podcast ·

2026/03/22

This episode outlines the legal and financial framework governing the partnership between Canadian for-profit corporations and their affiliated registered charities. It explains how businesses can leverage tax deductions and the strategic "Triple Benefit" of donating securities to eliminate capital gains taxes while boosting their Capital Dividend Account. Beyond fiscal advantages, the discussion highlights how these foundations enhance brand reputation through sponsorships and improve

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22:17

Ministry Registration as a Canadian Charity

The Canadian Charity Law Podcast ·

2026/03/20

This episode outlines the formal process and legal requirements for registering and maintaining a ministry as a charity in Canada. It emphasizes that while the term "ministry" is not a distinct legal category, these organizations must incorporate as not-for-profits or trusts and demonstrate a clear public benefit to qualify for tax-exempt status. The discussion details the transition from spiritual vision to a structured entity, covering essential steps such as drafting charitable purposes,

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21:53

Stop Making Amateur Charity Board Mistakes: A Skills...

The Canadian Charity Law Podcast ·

2026/03/04

This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for navigating the legal and operational complexities of Canadian charity governance. It emphasizes that board members are legal stewards rather than just volunteers, carrying specific fiduciary duties such as the requirements of care and loyalty. The discussion outlines how organizations evolve through various life cycle stages, necessitating different leadership skills and the use of a skills matrix for strategic recruitment. To mitigate

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21:28

A Legal Guide to Canadian Donor Advised Funds

The Canadian Charity Law Podcast ·

2026/03/02

This episode serves as a comprehensive guide to Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) within the Canadian philanthropic landscape, highlighting their rapid growth and functional mechanics. It explains that a DAF allows donors to make irrevocable contributions for an immediate tax receipt while retaining the right to recommend grants to registered charities over time. A critical legal distinction emphasized is that the Fund maintains ultimate ownership and control of the assets, a principle recently

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16:07

Proper Tax Receipting for Canadian Charities

The Canadian Charity Law Podcast ·

2026/02/18

Managing tax receipts for a registered charity is a complex legal responsibility that requires strict adherence to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) regulations. This episode explains that organizations must accurately identify true donors and verify that contributions qualify as genuine gifts rather than services, pledges, or business sponsorships. Charities are required to determine the precise fair market value of non-cash items using independent experts and subtract any benefits the donor

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15:01

The Nonprofit Board of Directors vs. The Bench: Who...

The Canadian Charity Law Podcast ·

2026/02/11

In this episode, we discuss a recent Ontario court ruling which affirmed judicial deference to nonprofit boards, ruling that bylaw amendments are valid even if they target specific situations. Boards may change rules for legitimate business interests without being deemed in bad faith or too vague. B.I.G. Charity Law Group Professional Corporation A dedicated law firm exclusively serving charities and not-for-profits in Toronto, Ontario, and across Canada. Serving:CRA Charity

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18:16

CRA vs. Your Health Charity: Why "Good Intentions"...

The Canadian Charity Law Podcast ·

2026/02/01

The CRA acts as a rigorous scientific review board that rejects applications based on anecdotes and "good vibes" in favor of objective, verifiable clinical data.To secure registration, your organization must prove that its treatments are effective and delivered by licensed professionals rather than well-meaning but unqualified volunteers.Success hinges on demonstrating a direct public benefit while avoiding pitfalls like private enrichment or promoting lifestyle choices over medical

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16:49

The CRA Rejected Your Employment Program Charitable...

The Canadian Charity Law Podcast ·

2026/01/22

Many well-intentioned founders are shocked to learn that the Canada Revenue Agency doesn't consider "helping people find jobs" automatically charitable, leading to rejected charity applications.This episode breaks down seven critical mistakes that doom employment-focused charity applications, from accidentally creating businesses instead of charities to providing unacceptable private benefits to employers.Learn how to properly frame your mission around recognized charitable purposes, define

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15:10

The CRA Rejected Your Poverty Relief Charity...

The Canadian Charity Law Podcast ·

2026/01/21

This episode outlines the frequent legal and administrative errors that lead the Canada Revenue Agency to deny charitable status to organizations focused on poverty relief.The discussion clarifies that a charity must focus on remedying existing poverty rather than attempting to prevent it, and benefits must only support a modest standard of living rather than providing luxuries.A successful application requires precise eligibility criteria and rigorous documentation to prove that

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15:04

The CRA Rejected Your Employment Program Charitable...

The Canadian Charity Law Podcast ·

2026/01/21

Many well-intentioned founders are shocked to learn that the Canada Revenue Agency doesn't consider "helping people find jobs" automatically charitable, leading to rejected charity applications. This episode breaks down seven critical mistakes that doom employment-focused charity applications, from accidentally creating businesses instead of charities to providing unacceptable private benefits to employers. Learn how to properly frame your mission around recognized charitable purposes,

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13:27

The CRA Rejected Your Poverty Relief Charity...

The Canadian Charity Law Podcast ·

2026/01/14

This episode outlines the frequent legal and administrative errors that lead the Canada Revenue Agency to deny charitable status to organizations focused on poverty relief. The discussion clarifies that a charity must focus on remedying existing poverty rather than attempting to prevent it, and benefits must only support a modest standard of living rather than providing luxuries. A successful application requires precise eligibility criteria and rigorous documentation to prove that

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7:18

The CRA Rejected Your Private Foundation Application...

The Canadian Charity Law Podcast ·

2026/01/07

This episode focuses on the challenges private foundations encounter when their registration applications are rejected by the Canada Revenue Agency. It specifically investigates the common reasons why the CRA might decline or ignore these legal requests for charitable status. Beyond identifying failures, the discussion offers strategic advice for organizations looking to rehabilitate their standing and successfully navigate the appeals process. The episode aims to provide a roadmap for

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13:23

The CRA Denied Your Indigenous Charity Application I...

The Canadian Charity Law Podcast ·

2025/12/31

This episode examines the Canada Revenue Agency’s complex and seemingly contradictory regulations regarding the registration of Indigenous-focused charities. While the Canadian government recognizes that serving Aboriginal peoples can meet the legal definition of a public benefit, the episode highlights a "red light list" of services—such as hospitals and ambulance services—that are deemed too universal to be restricted to one group. Additionally, the discussion focuses on the "class within

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12:09

The CRA Rejected Your Arts or Music Charity...

The Canadian Charity Law Podcast ·

2025/12/24

To secure charitable status in Canada, arts and music organizations must navigate strict requirements set by the Canada Revenue Agency. Many applications fail because they lack structured educational components or fail to demonstrate that their chosen medium has widespread community acceptance. Furthermore, the government requires objective proof of artistic merit, ensuring that public benefit takes precedence over the private financial interests of individual artists or board members

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15:23

The CRA Rejected Your Application to Register a...

The Canadian Charity Law Podcast ·

2025/12/17

This episode provides a detailed guide outlining ten common reasons why a private school's application for charitable registration may be rejected by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It explains that rejections often occur because the school's structure, purposes, or activities fail to meet specific legal requirements for the "advancement of education" under charity law. Key pitfalls include having purposes that are not exclusively charitable, using teaching materials that are biased or

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87 results

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