News release

Ministers Caplan and Manley welcome voluntary sector report on regulatory processes

Ottawa, May 5, 2003... Elinor Caplan, Minister of National Revenue, and John Manley, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, today welcomed a report containing recommendations on how to improve the way the charitable sector is regulated in Canada. Strengthening Canada's Charitable Sector: Regulatory Reform is the final report of the Joint Regulatory Table (JRT).

The JRT is part of the Voluntary Sector Initiative, which is a co-operative initiative of the voluntary sector and the Government of Canada (www.vsi-isbc.ca) being led by the Minister Responsible for the Voluntary Sector and Minister of Canadian Heritage, Sheila Copps.

The goal of the JRT has been to develop proposals that ensure public confidence in voluntary organizations and provide them with a supportive environment, while at the same time maintaining the integrity of the tax system.

"The JRT has done excellent work that complements the efforts that the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) has been making to modernize the regulatory process for registered charities," said Minister Caplan. "This is a clear demonstration of the value of government and citizens working together to identify challenges and to propose practical, workable solutions."

"As a result of our work with registered charities, and particularly through the work of the JRT, we have gained important insights into the perspective of the sector in the area of taxation," said Minister Manley.

Both ministers have indicated that their officials are now reviewing the report's 75 proposals, which aim to:

• improve the transparency of administrative processes, most notably the processes for registration and de-registration of charities;
• introduce more effective ways of ensuring that charities meet their legal obligations under the Income Tax Act; and
• improve the process for appealing regulatory decisions affecting registered charities.

"If we can reduce the administrative regulatory burden on charities, they will have more resources to carry on charitable work," said Minister Caplan. "Improving administrative processes will help them meet their obligations under the Income Tax Act and will enhance an open dialogue between registered charities and the regulator."

Strengthening Canada's Charitable Sector: Regulatory Reform is available on the Internet at www.vsi-isbc.ca/eng/joint_tables/regulatory/index.cfm, and a limited number of printed copies can be obtained by calling the CCRA's charities call centre at 1-800-267-2384.

This document is also available for download in .pdf format.

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For media information

Colette Gentes-Hawn
Canada Customs and Revenue Agency
(613) 957-3522