the Ontario
Ecogifts
  Handbook
           2005

Introduction

Yellow Swallowtail / Ethan Meleg

Under the provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada), the Ecological Gifts Program (EGP) provides favourable income tax treatment to donors of ecologically sensitive lands (known as ecological gifts or ecogifts), including conservation easements.

Since 1995, the EGP has become a valuable tool in conserving threatened habitats and biodiversity. As a partnership among landowners, conservation organizations and government, it provides favourable income tax treatment for land or conservation easement donations, and greater recognition of the value of individual conservation actions.

Across Canada, the program has fostered over 440 ecogifts covering 37,500 hectares of wetland, forest, alvar and other important habitats. Over 300 Ontarians have made more than 160 ecogifts collectively valued at over $44 million.

While the favourable income tax treatment the EGP provides is an attraction, for almost all donors, the underlying motivation is the desire to do something meaningful to protect nature and to leave something of great value for future generations. The EGP helps many people to act on that motivation, to the benefit of all Canadians.

Income tax benefits

Gifts of ecologically sensitive land provide additional income tax savings, security and protection over most other charitable gifts. Specific benefits include:

• no income limit for calculating the tax credit;
• elimination of the normal capital gain;
• the value of the gift is determined by the Minister of the Environment before the gift is made; and
• perpetual protection for the gift.

Donors of ecogifts benefit from the elimination of the normal capital gain realized on the disposition of the property. Corporate donors deduct the amount of their ecogift directly from their taxable income. The value of an individual’s ecogift is converted to a non-refundable tax credit. The federal tax credit is calculated by applying a rate of 16 percent to the first $200 of the donor’s total gifts for the year and 29 percent to the balance. There is also a reduction in provincial tax payable through a similar provincial tax credit calculation.

Ecogifts differ from other charitable gifts in that they are not subject to an "income limit" in determining the amount of the donor’s tax credit or deduction in respect of the gift. Charitable gifts may be claimed in the year of the donation and any amount not claimed in that year may be carried forward for up to five subsequent years.

In addition to the recipient’s pledge to protect the land, the Government of Canada will impose a substantial tax upon any charitable or municipal recipient that disposes of the gift or changes its use without authorization from Environment Canada.

For residents of Quebec who donate land in Ontario, there are additional certification steps in order to receive provincial income tax benefits. Please contact the EGP staff for more information.

Using the Ontario Ecogifts Handbook

This handbook replaces any previous version. It is designed for use by donors and their advisors. It is also designed for eligible recipients under the EGP in Ontario – that is, the charities, municipalities, and the Crown that are eligible to receive gifts of ecologically sensitive land.

Donors and advisors

To claim ecogift tax benefits, donors require a Certificate for Donation of Ecologically Sensitive Land and a Statement of Fair Market Value from Environment Canada. Donors will also require an official donation receipt from the recipient when filing an annual income tax return.

The handbook has been organized into two main sections to describe these two Environment Canada certifications:

• Certifying a Property as Ecologically Sensitive and
• Certifying the Value of the Donation

There is no fee to certify a donation as an ecogift. However, there are costs associated with donating land and preparing the necessary documentation. Deciding who commissions and pays for surveys, appraisals and other related costs may be a matter of policy for the recipient, or may be negotiable between the donor and recipient depending on the resources and commitment of those involved.

Recipients

Green Frog / Walter B. Fechner

Recipients of ecogifts should be aware of the general tax advantages and processes of the EGP. However, since each landowner’s tax situation is unique, the advice of a qualified, independent professional will be needed to assess the benefits for individual donors.

If the recipient is a charity, it must be approved by Environment Canada on the Certificate. Charities must be familiar with this additional step. See the Qualifying as an Eligible Recipient section.

What help can donors expect?
Making an ecogift application

Help from the recipient

Cedar Waxwing / Eric Dresser

The donor is the applicant, though a recipient may provide experienced guidance to help donors through the donation and ecological gift certification processes. Recipients often help with the ecogift application by:

• evaluating the ecological character of the property and documenting how it meets the definition of ecologically sensitive land;
• arranging for any surveys or land-use approvals, such as severances, needed to complete the property transfer;
• arranging for an appraisal of fair market value of the donation by a qualified appraiser; and,
• coordinating the applications to certify the property and its fair market value.

Recipients may refer donors to the EGP-Ontario staff for further information.

Help from Environment Canada

Oak Leaves / Walter B. Fechner

While the EGP staff cannot advise a donor on income tax and related matters, they are available at any time before and during the certification process to answer questions about ecogifts and to explain the certification process. The EGP staff may be able to meet with donors about potential ecological gift properties.

Help from independent advisors

Donors should consult with qualified independent advisors to obtain legal, tax and financial advice. Every donation and donor’s income tax situation is unique, so a professional (e.g., lawyer and/or financial advisor) is required to review the specifics and advise donors of any considerations, implications, and benefits of the gift.

See Information and Assistance for additional sources of assistance.

Who can receive ecogifts?

Landowners can donate ecogifts to three categories of organizations – the Crown, municipalities, and eligible registered charities.

The Crown

Federal or provincial government agencies are automatically eligible to receive ecogifts. Government bodies (e.g., the Ministry of Natural Resources) and related agencies (e.g., the Ontario Heritage Foundation) are included.

Municipalities

Any incorporated Canadian municipality is automatically eligible to receive ecogifts, including local, regional or county municipalities.

Eligible Registered Charities

Landowners can donate to any of over 70 eligible charities. It is sometimes possible to donate an ecogift to a charity that is not on the list, but that charity must first apply to become an eligible recipient. The actual approval of a charity by the Minister of the Environment is given in respect of any individual gift on the Certificate for Donation of Ecologically Sensitive Land.

To be considered for approval, an organization must meet the following criteria:

• Registered Charity status with the Canada Revenue Agency and maintain this status from year to year;
• Application filed with Environment Canada requesting to be eligible, and showing its willingness and capacity to receive such gifts; and,

One of its main purposes, in the opinion of the Minister of the Environment, must include "the conservation and protection of environmental heritage".

The list of eligible charities is available at the EGP-National Web site: www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/egp-pde/default.asp?lang=En&n=BEBC00B5-1#ontario.

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Certifying a Property as Ecologically Sensitive

Each donation of land or conservation easement must be individually certified as ecologically sensitive before the next step in the process (certifying the value of the gift) can occur. In Ontario, Environment Canada staff carry out this certification on behalf of the Minister of the Environment and issue a Certificate for Donation of Ecologically Sensitive Land, which must accompany the donor’s income tax return.

To qualify as an ecogift, a property must meet the definition of ecologically sensitive land, including one or more of a set of criteria developed specifically for Ontario. This definition includes 19 specific categories of qualified lands (the "A" list), and a further 11 general criteria for other lands that may qualify as ecologically sensitive (the "B" list). See the definition for more information.

Black Tern / John Mitchell

If the property under consideration meets one of the "A" list criteria – for example, if it contains a Provincially Significant Wetland – it will likely be certified. To qualify a property under the more general "B" list criteria, a more detailed rationale is expected to outline how it meets one or more of the criteria – in essence, to make the case for why it should qualify as ecologically sensitive.

If the donation is a conservation easement, the terms of the agreement must protect the ecologically sensitive features for which the land is certified. The Minister’s certification of a conservation easement’s ecological sensitivity and fair market value does not assess the agreement’s rigour or defensibility in a court of law.

Checklist for certifying a property as ecologically sensitive

Step ONE: Arrange the donation

Potential donors may select an eligible ecogift recipient in various ways. Knowing who is willing and capable of caring for the land is an essential component. All donors must consider the legal, tax and financial aspects of a donation with the support of independent legal and financial advice to ensure that the implications of the donation are fully understood before proceeding with the certification steps.

Information to determine whether the property can be certified as ecologically sensitive under the EGP can be filed at any stage in the donation process. For donations of a conservation easement, a copy of the final agreement is required, though it does not yet need to be signed. It is also possible to apply to the program after completing the gift, as information can be filed up to three years after the year in which the property or conservation easement donation was made.

Some donors will want confirmation that their property qualifies as ecologically sensitive as well as a determined value before completing their donation; however, potential donors should provide at least a letter of commitment to the potential recipient at an early stage.

Background information for advisors
Ecological Gifts – Canadians Donating Ecologically Sensitive Land (Donor brochure)
Answers to Donors' Questions
Answers to Recipients' Questions
Conservation Options: Conservation Easements
Donor Profiles
For electronic copies of the above, visit www.on.ec.gc.ca/ecogifts

Donation and Income Tax Scenarios
Retaining the Right to Use Land Donated as an Ecological Gift
Engaging an Appraiser
Guidelines for Appraisals
EGP Application Guide (a more in-depth look at the process, particularly handy for lawyers, financial advisors and other professionals)
Confirmation that Ecogifts are Eligible for Split-Receipting
For electronic copies of the above, visit www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/egp-pde.

Is it really a gift?

It is up to donors and their advisors to ensure that their donations meet the definition of a gift under Canadian income tax law. In certifying the ecological sensitivity of the land or the land’s fair market value, the Minister of the Environment does not assess whether or not the transfer of land or an easement qualifies as a gift for the purposes of the Income Tax Act.

It is strongly recommended that donors consult professional, independent tax and legal advisors to discuss all implications of the donation, including this aspect.

To issue an acceptable official donation receipt, recipients must also satisfy themselves that the property or conservation easement being accepted fully qualifies as a gift. If there is any question about whether an individual transfer qualifies as a gift for tax purposes, recipients should contact their legal advisors and/or the CRA for a ruling.

A donation of ecologically sensitive land must be a true gift; that is, a voluntary transfer of property for which the donor expects and receives nothing of value in return. An ecological gift must be made voluntarily. Generally, any legal obligation requiring a donor to make a donation will result in the donation losing its status as a gift. For example, if a landowner were compelled by a court order or by land-use bylaws to transfer property, the transfer would not be voluntary and, therefore, would not be considered a gift.

It is possible for a donor to receive some advantage (e.g., cash) and still receive a donation receipt. For information on this new split-receipting provision in the Income Tax Act, refer to the EGP fact sheet Confirmation that Ecogifts are Eligible for Split-Receipting. In addition, the Canada Revenue Agency has draft guidelines on proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act regarding an administrative approach to split-receipting in Income Tax Technical News No.26 – Proposed Guidelines on Split-Receipting *. This may be ordered by calling 1-800-892-5667.

Land that is not capital property: Inventory lands

Gifts of land or interests in land that are not capital property (e.g., inventory lands) may qualify as ecological gifts if they meet the criteria in the Income Tax Act. However, ecological gifts of non-capital property will not provide the same tax benefits as ecological gifts of capital property. In the case of all charitable gifts of inventory lands, including ecological gifts, donors must include the fair market value of the land donated in their revenue for the year. In computing profit for tax purposes, the donor may deduct the cost of the land. Unlike gifts of capital property, the entire amount of the profit is included in the donor’s income.

Distinguishing between inventory and capital property is not always straightforward. Often lands that have been acquired for the purpose of, for example, subdividing into housing lots are considered inventory. However, the Income Tax Act does not provide any guidelines and it is necessary to look to case law. For assistance in distinguishing between income from a business and capital gains, see Interpretation Bulletin IT-218R, Profit, Capital Gains and Losses from the Sale of Real Estate, Including Farmland and Inherited Land and Conversion of Real Estate from Capital Property to Inventory and Vice Versa, available on the CRA Web site at www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/tp/it218r/README.html *.

Step TWO: File the ecological information

Required information

• Full name(s), address(es), phone, e-mail for the owner(s)/donor(s) on title and written confirmation from the potential donor(s) that they own the subject property free of any liens, encumbrances or other interests, have the authority to dispose of it, and wish to seek ecological sensitivity certification. If there are any liens, encumbrances or other interests they must be identified.
• Name, address and charitable registration number (if applicable) of the recipient organization and written confirmation of the organization’s willingness to receive the donation as an ecological gift.
• Complete legal description of the property under a Land Titles or Land Registry system (general location descriptions are not acceptable).
• Type of donation – title to the land or conservation easement (if the donation is a conservation easement, a copy of the final draft agreement must be submitted).
• Area, in hectares or acres (indicate measurement unit), of the land being donated (if an easement applies to only a portion of the site, record only the gifted area); if the property is not surveyed, an approximate area is acceptable to start.
• Confirmation that the recipient is eligible, either through reference to the list on the EGP-National Web site, or by application as outlined in the How to Apply section.
• A description of the current status of the donation (e.g., letter of intent, legal agreement, property transfer registered, etc.) and anticipated timing to completion.

• Click here to see a sample donation application

  An assessment of ecological character (as outlined below and shown in the shaded area of the sample).

A short paragraph summarizing the property’s ecological values, the ecogift criteria met, and an assessment of the present condition of and threats to the site.

The proportion of the total area of the property in wetland, forest, grassland, dune, or alvar; and whether shorelines, watercourses, Great Lakes coast or cliffs are present.

Blue Flag Iris / Graham Bryan

A description of any significant species present.

A description of any buildings or other permanent structures on the property.

A listing of any reports or documents where the flora or fauna communities or other indicators of biodiversity of the site have been recorded – refer to these reports but do not submit copies unless requested.

A listing of which criteria from the "A" or "B" list are met by the property under consideration, with a brief explanation of how each criterion is fulfilled; if field assessment is necessary to provide reliable information (especially to meet "B" criteria), that is the responsibility of the donor or recipient on the donor’s behalf.

James Sidney

Reference to any local, regional, national, international or other formal ranking of the significance of the site, and to the reports in which this ranking is noted.

Any site enhancement or rehabilitation measures proposed to upgrade the ecological quality of the property.

A map of the site, clearly indicating where it is located, the area of the donation, and the significant features.

• Comment on why the donation is being made, and the recipient’s intentions for its future management or enhancement, including whether a formal management plan is to be developed. Is changing the current use or ecological character or disposing of all or part of the land or easement anticipated?

Definition of Ecologically Sensitive Lands: Ontario

Restrictions on recipients: Disposing of title and changing use

James Sidney

Recipients can be taxed if they dispose of title or change use of an ecogift without prior authorization from the Minister of the Environment. The provisions apply to ecogift donations of both title and conservation easements.

The Income Tax Act includes provision for a tax liability for unauthorized land-use changes and dispositions (such as sales, transfers) of properties donated as ecological gifts (Section 207.31 Income Tax Act). A federal tax equal to 50 percent of the fair market value of the property at the time of the unauthorized change or disposition shall be imposed on charitable or municipal recipients. The Canada Revenue Agency is responsible for administration of this tax.

In practice, land transfers or changes in use that are consistent with the original objectives of the ecogift and do not result in negative ecological impacts would likely be authorized (e.g., if the original recipient wanted to transfer ownership of an ecogift to another eligible conservation organization). So would a change in land use that enhanced or restored the conservation value of the property, such as an end to commercial logging. Changes that are required by law or for public safety also would be likely to be authorized (e.g., removal of a safety hazard such as dying trees overhanging a trail).

Recipients should write to Environment Canada for authorization in advance of any proposed disposition or use change:
Ecological Gifts Program
Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment Canada
4905 Dufferin St.
Downsview, ON M3H 5T4

Environment Canada will write back with authorization or any concerns.

What about selling ecogifts?

In some circumstances, recipients may wish to accept and then sell properties that are donated with the intent of generating revenue for the purchase of other conservation lands. Such sales will not usually be accommodated under the EGP. In other similar circumstances, recipients may wish to keep only the ecologically sensitive portions of a donated property (e.g., the wetland) and sell the remainder (e.g., active farmlands). Likewise, these kinds of arrangements will not usually be accommodated under the EGP.

Step THREE: Environment Canada reviews and issues Certificate for Donation of Ecologically Sensitive Land

Review of the submitted materials and completion and signing of the Certificate usually takes up to four weeks, provided there are no major issues to be resolved. Special circumstances requiring faster turn-around can often be accommodated.

The Certificate for Donation of Ecologically Sensitive Land is issued directly to the donor, with a copy to the recipient. At that time, a Gift ID number is assigned. It expedites matters if all future correspondence regarding the donation references this Gift ID number.

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Certifying the Value of the Donation

Checklist for certifying the value of the donation

The fair market value of all gifts under the EGP must be certified by the Minister of the Environment. Donors must submit independent appraisals of lands or conservation easements along with a signed Application for Appraisal Review and Determination. These appraisals are then reviewed by an Appraisal Review Panel under the Standards of the Appraisal Institute of Canada, that recommends to the Minister a fair market value for each gift. The Application for Appraisal Review and Determination, Engaging an Appraiser and Guidelines for Appraisals are available from the EGP-Ontario staff and the EGP-National Web site (www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/egp-pde).

Step ONE
Commission an appraisal of fair market value

Either the donor or the recipient can commission an appraisal to establish the fair market value of the ecogift. The qualifications of the appraiser may differ, depending on the value and complexity of the valuation. See Guidelines for Appraisals for more information.

In selecting and engaging an appraiser, there are a number of factors that should be considered and incorporated. Please refer to the Guidelines for Appraisals and Engaging an Appraiser for full details.

Ecogift valuation training courses have been held across Canada to develop knowledge and understanding of requirements specific to the EGP. Potential appraisers should be asked whether they have completed this training. For assistance in finding an appraiser who has attended training in the valuation of ecogifts, visit the Appraisal Institute of Canada’s Web site (www.aicanada.org *) or contact the Institute at 1-800-441-8062 or mail@aicanada.org.

Appraisers are required to follow the EGP Guidelines for Appraisals. These Guidelines are updated periodically and are available from the EGP-Ontario staff or the EGP-National Web site (www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/egp-pde). The Guidelines address factors that appraisers should consider, and include a series of self-certification statements that appraisers must include and sign in their appraisal reports. Each appraiser should be provided with a copy.

Of particular note:

• If the assignment involves a partial interest in land (such as a conservation easement), the appraiser must have a copy of the completed (or nearly completed) agreement when doing the appraisal. The dated draft or final agreement the appraiser used must be included when the appraisal report is submitted for review.
• A copy of the current title abstract must be included in the report, and any existing interests and encumbrances considered in the valuation.
• Appraisers should be particularly cautioned that hypothetical conditions and extraordinary assumptions that would have an impact on highest and best use will not be permitted.
• Donors and recipients may wish to work with their appraiser early in the donation process to estimate the value of the gift. The appraisal itself, however, must be current. See Guidelines for Appraisals for specific timing considerations. Ideally, the appraisal date should be as close to the application date and/or donation date as possible, especially if the real estate market is rapidly changing.

Step TWO
Submit the application (including appraisal) for review and determination

Three colour copies of the completed appraisal should be submitted to:
Ecological Gifts Program
Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment Canada
4905 Dufferin St.
Downsview, ON M3H 5T4

Include an Application for Appraisal Review and Determination, signed and dated by all the owner(s)/donor(s) on title. Application forms are available from the EGP-Ontario staff or the EGP-National Web site.

Incomplete application forms and appraisals may be returned for more information. Complete applications and appraisals are reviewed by one or more qualified appraisers from the Appraisal Review Panel.

Step THREE
Receive a Notice of Determination of Fair Market Value

Following the review of the appraisal by one or more members of the Appraisal Review Panel, donors will receive a Notice of Determination of Fair Market Value citing the value that the Minister of the Environment is prepared to certify. The recipient is sent a copy of this Notice. In many cases, this value will be the same as the value the donor applied to have reviewed; however, the Panel may recommend a modified value to the Minister.

The fair market value on the Notice applies to that property in relation to all income tax purposes related to charitable donations and gifts for two years from the date of the Notice. When the Notice of Determination of Fair Market Value is received, a donor has three options to exercise within 90 days:

• accept the value as determined, notify Environment Canada and proceed to complete the donation process with the recipient;
• request in writing a redetermination by the Redetermination Committee of the Appraisal Review Panel at their next scheduled meeting (redeterminations of fair market value must be requested within 90 days of the date of the Notice); or,
• withdraw from the Ecological Gifts Program, notifying Environment Canada in writing.

In most cases, when the appraisal conforms to the Guidelines, the review process to receive a Notice takes less than 90 days. Requests by the Panel for more information or clarification are sent to donors, recipients and appraisers by the EGP-Ontario staff if authorized by donors on the application form.

Redetermination

A donor requesting a redetermination of fair market value should provide details of factors or circumstances pertaining to the proposed ecogift, as well as any new information that could affect the decision of the Redetermination Committee of the Appraisal Review Panel, such as a second appraisal.

The Redetermination Committee makes its recommendation to the Minister as to the fair market value of the ecogift within 60 days of completing its redetermination. The Minister issues a Notice of Redetermination of Fair Market Value after considering the recommendation received. Details are available in the EGP Application Guide (www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/egp-pde).

Step FOUR
Statement of Fair Market Value and official donation receipt

Red-bellied Woodpecker / Walter B. Fechner

Once the donors notify Environment Canada in writing that they accept the fair market value as determined (by indicating that option, signing and returning the Notice), and Environment Canada receives evidence that the gift has been completed (i.e., a copy of the registered transfer/deed and conservation easement if applicable), a certified Statement of Fair Market Value is issued to the donor, with a copy to the recipient. It is important to note that the registered donation must match the appraised donation (e.g., size, legal description, easement agreement, etc.). Otherwise a letter from the original appraiser regarding the impact of any changes in the donation on the fair market value will be required, along with a review of such a letter by the Appraisal Review Panel. Therefore, for reasons of expediency and cost, it is important that donations and appraisals brought to the EGP for review are based on the final or near final form of the donation.

The Statement of Fair Market Value must accompany the donor’s income tax return, and is the basis for the recipient issuing an official donation receipt. The Certificate and donation receipt must also accompany the donor’s income tax return.

The official donation receipt is issued by the recipient based on the value of the Statement. A detailed list of requirements for official donation receipts from charities is included in the CRA’s publication Registered Charities and the Income Tax Act [RC 4108 (E)], which is available on-line at www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/tg/rc4108/rc4108eq.html * or by calling 1-800-892-5667. Municipalities should consult with their own financial staff and the CRA regarding specific requirements for their official donation receipts.

If, following completion of the donation and receipt, a donor is still not satisfied with the fair market value determined for the donation, he/she may appeal the fair market value of the gift in Tax Court within 90 days of the Statement date. Donors must undertake the EGP’s redetermination process prior to any Tax Court appeal.

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Qualifying as an Eligible Recipient

Checklist for qualifying as an eligible recipient

How to apply

There are no formal application forms. Potential recipients should read the criteria under "Who can receive ecogifts?". Send a written request to:
National Coordinator
Ecological Gifts Program
Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment Canada
351 St. Joseph Blvd.
Gatineau, QC K1A 0H3
Fax: (819) 953-3575
E-mail: Ecogifts@ec.gc.ca

Include the following information:

• Full contact details – business address, e-mail, fax, and phone;
• Business Number and Charitable Registration Number;
• A copy of the organization’s full statement of purpose, such as the statement of objects included in the letters patent or incorporation papers; and,
• An explanation of the mission of the organization, and some examples of projects undertaken, are also recommended.

A response from Environment Canada can be expected within a few weeks. If there is urgency for qualifying (such as an impending donation), include that information in the application letter.

Environment Canada regularly updates and reviews the list of eligible registered charities, which is available on the EGP-National Web site, so donors can check on the status of organizations they are considering. Already, over 70 Ontario organizations are on this list. Organizations that fail to file annual tax returns with the CRA and thus lose their charitable status will be removed from the list. Other circumstances may also result in charities being removed from the list of eligible recipients by Environment Canada.

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A Final Word

At the end of the EGP process donors will receive two documents from Environment Canada:
a Certificate for Donation of Ecologically Sensitive Land, and a Statement of Fair Market Value.

And from the recipient:
an official donation receipt

Mayfly / Eric Dresser

Ecogifts have protected many significant natural areas across Canada. Landowners who want to be part of this initiative can start by calling or e-mailing the EGP staff or a qualified gift recipient.

Together these three documents enable the donor to claim enhanced ecogift income tax benefits. More importantly donors will receive the feeling of satisfaction that they have taken a great step to protect Canada’s natural heritage.

Glossary

Conservation Easement: An agreement between two parties, usually written under the authority of the Ontario Conservation Land Act, whereby one party has rights to the land of the other. For the purposes of the EGP, they protect and conserve natural features, wildlife habitats or other heritage values. All conservation easements donated through the EGP must be registered on the title to the land, and bind future owners to the terms of the agreement.

Covenant: A voluntary restriction on land use. A component of a conservation easement.

Donor(s): The rightful owner(s) of the property who are proposing to dispose of the property as a gift to a qualified recipient.

Ecogift: Donations of ecologically sensitive land (including conservation easements) certified by the Minister of the Environment. Also called ecological gifts.

Ecologically Sensitive Land: Land which is certified by the Minister of the Environment to meet the definition of ecologically sensitive land.

Fair Market Value: The most probable price that a property should bring in a competitive and open market as of the specified date under all conditions requisite to a fair sale, with the buyer and seller each acting prudently and knowledgeable, and assuming the price is not affected by undue stimulus (see Appraisal Institute of Canada standards for more detail: www.aicanada.org *).

Recipient: An organization that is eligible to receive ecological gifts, including the federal government, provinces, territories, municipalities and approved environmental charities.

The Ontario Ecogifts Handbook 2005

© March 2005

ISBN 0-662-440199-9

Cat No. En161-2/2005E-HTML

The 2005 handbook replaces any earlier editions.

Copies are available from:
Ecological Gifts (Ontario)
Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment Canada
4905 Dufferin St.
Downsview, ON M3H 5T4
(416) 739-5830
Ecogifts.Ontario@ec.gc.ca

For more information, please contact:

Andrea Kettle
(416) 739-4286
Ecogifts.Ontario@ec.gc.ca

Dawn Laing
(416) 739-5828
Ecogifts.Ontario@ec.gc.ca

www.on.ec.gc.ca/ecogifts

Également disponsible en français sous le titre : Guide pour les dons écologiques en Ontario 2005.

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