March 22, 2013. Budget 2013: Summary of items affecting the charitable and nonprofit sector

Budget 2013 maintains the federal government’s target to balance the budget by 2015-16. In order to achieve this, Budget 2013 contains limited new spending, while reaffirming spending reductions that were announced in Budget 2012. The budget also contains further measures aimed at improving the integrity of the tax system, including measures to close tax loopholes, clarify tax rules, and improve tax fairness. Read more.

March 21, 2013. Imagine Canada Reacts to Budget 2013

Minister Flaherty introduced Budget 2013 this afternoon, announcing a new First Time Donor’s Super Credit to encourage Canadians to support charities across the country. Finance officials estimate that it will generate up to $110 million annually in revenues for the charitable sector. Read more.

March 7, 2013. Advocacy, Political Activity and Foreign Funding

The Canada Revenue Agency has released the revised T3010 for charities with year-ends of January 1, 2013 or later. The revised T3010 will apply to all charities with a 2013 year-end, and for those who will be reporting in 2013 on their 2012 activities. Read more.

May 28, 2012. Charities' Engagement in Public Policy.

Imagine Canada has been asked to appear in front of the House of Commons Finance Committee this evening to discuss portions of the budget legislation affecting charities. As you are aware, the 2012 federal budget included provisions on the reporting of political activity that will affect all charities. These measures, while not changing fundamentally the overall rules for operating charities’ political activities, will require additional reporting and establish intermediate sanctions for organizations failing to submit accurate or complete information about any aspect of their annual returns. Testifying in front of the Committee will give us the opportunity to once again emphasize the legitimacy and value of charities’ engagement in public policy. Read more.

May 4, 2012. Charities "Laundering" Funds: Letter to the Minister of the Environment

In an interview this week, Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment, made comments that suggest charities are "laundering" funds and engaging in improper activity. Imagine Canada has written a letter to Minister Kent and copied the Prime Minister expressing our concerns. Read more.

April 2, 2012. Budget 2012: Summary of items affecting the charitable and nonprofit sector

Imagine Canada will monitor the budget implementation legislation and assess the implications of these and any other budget-related measures brought to our attention in the coming weeks. We also invite colleagues to share information with Michelle Gauthier or Bill Schaper what they learn from their contacts in various departments and agencies. Read more.

March 29, 2012. Imagine Canada Reacts to Budget 2012.

Imagine Canada, the national umbrella organization for charities and public benefit nonprofits, is pleased that the government will “continue to explore social finance instruments” and we encourage the acceleration of these efforts as the sector seeks to meet growing demand with ever constrained financing. “One of the sector’s top priorities is financial sustainability and we urge government to facilitate an enabling environment in which new models can thrive,” said Marcel Lauzière, Imagine Canada’s President and CEO. “A range of new financing instruments will be required and they need to be complemented by measures to provide business advisory and business support programs for charities and nonprofits. Imagine Canada has recommended and will continue to press for access to existing business support programs for charities and nonprofits.” Read more.

March 21, 2012. 2010 Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating Data Released

Today Statistics Canada released its Caring Canadians, Involved Canadians: Tables Report from the 2010 Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating (CSGVP). The CSGVP is a survey program designed to better understand how Canadians support one another through philanthropy, volunteering and direct support. Imagine Canada has been involved with the survey since its inception, providing expertise to Statistics Canada that helps ensure the relevance and comprehensiveness of the data. Read more.