Federal Government Contacts outside the Charities Directorate

Government of Canada

Main site for government of Canada, with links to all other federal government sites.

Information on Programs and Services - Calls from within Canada and the United States

1 800 O-Canada (1 800 622-6232)

TTY/TDD 1 800 465-7735

www.canada.gc.ca/main_e.html

Government of Canada Publications

1 800 635-7943

http://publications.communication.gc.ca

The Canada Gazette

The Canada Gazette is an official medium for the publication of legally binding decisions of the Government of Canada, its various boards, agencies, commissions and Crown corporations.

http://canadagazette.gc.ca/index-e.html

Inside the CRA

www.cra.gc.ca

GST/HST

Business Window

To set up registration, payroll or GST/HST accounts.

1-800-959-5525 (English)

1-800-959-7775 (Bilingual)

www.cra.gc.ca/tax/business/topics/gst/menu-e.html

Rebates - Public service bodies, which include charities, can ask for a rebate for part of the GST, or the federal component of the HST (and in most cases also the provincial component of HST), that they've paid on goods and services used in certain activities.

1-800-565-9353 (Canada except Quebec)

1-800-567-4692 (Quebec)

www.cra.gc.ca/tax/business/topics/gst/psb/rebates/psb/menu-e.html

Income Tax Rulings Directorate

Provides two main services to the public:

• advance income tax rulings for an hourly fee
• general interpretations of provisions of the Income Tax Act, which are not binding on the CRA in respect of any specific transaction. No fee is charged for these.

1-613-957-8953

More information on these services is found in Information Circular 70-6R5, which is available on the CRA's Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/E/pub/tp/ic70-6r5/README.html

Local Tax Office

General inquiries relating to tax issues not answered by other government organizations mentioned here.

1-800-959-8281 (English)

1-800-959-7383 (Bilingual)

Outside the CRA

Canadian Heritage

The Guide to Canadian Heritage Financial Support Programs

1-866-811-0055

TTY/TDD: (819) 997-3123

http://www.pch.gc.ca/pc-ch/financ/index_e.cfm

National Arts Service Organization (NASO) - For questions concerning designation as a National Arts Service Organization (NASO). The designation provides not-for-profit arts organizations that promote the arts on a nation-wide basis a tax treatment equivalent to that of registered charities.

1-819-994-5275

www.pch.gc.ca/progs/osna-naso/index_e.cfm

The Canada Volunteerism Initiative* funded through the Community Partnerships Program of Canadian Heritage, aims to encourage Canadians to participate in voluntary organizations, improve the capacity of organizations to benefit from the contributions of volunteers, and enhance the experience of volunteers.

1-800-670-0401*

www.volunteer.ca*

*this is a not a government site and contact number

The Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board

Among its various responsibilities, the Board certifies cultural property for income tax purposes. In this role, it makes determinations with respect to the "outstanding significance and national importance" and the fair market value of objects or collections donated or sold to designated Canadian museums, art galleries, archives and libraries.

1-819-997-7761

www.pch.gc.ca/progs/cebc-cperb/index_e.cfm

Voluntary Sector Initiative (VSI)

The VSI is a joint initiative between the Government of Canada and the voluntary sector that was launched in June 2000. The VSI is focused on strengthening the relationship between the sector and the government and enhancing the capacity of the voluntary sector.

www.vsi-isbc.ca

The Federal Court of Appeal (FCA)

FCA judgments are available to the public at this site.

For general enquiries regarding procedural business of the Registry of the Federal Court of Canada, please contact your local Registry Office.

www.fct-cf.gc.ca

Department of Finance

- provides the Minister of Finance with analysis and advice in relation to the Income Tax Act, which includes tax incentives for charitable giving and certain legal requirements that charities must fulfil in order to be registered at the federal level in Canada.

1-613-992-1573

www.fin.gc.ca

Industry Canada

Corporations Directorate

- federal incorporation

1-866-333-5556

http://strategis.gc.ca/corporations

The Competition Bureau

- deals with the federal Competition Act which includes some fundraising activities

1-800-348-5358

www.cb-bc.gc.ca    *correct as of July 03

Electronic Commerce Branch

- responsible for regulations under PIPEDA

1-613-993-3508

www.ecom.ic.gc.ca

Privacy for Business Web site

www.privacyforbusiness.ic.gc.ca

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

The Commissioner is an advocate for the privacy rights of Canadians.

613-995-8210

1-800-282-1376

www.privcom.gc.ca/index_e.asp