CANADA—BILL WILL BRING CHANGES IN ONTARIO LEGISLATION AFFECTING CHARITIES

On Wednesday, October 27, 2009, the Attorney General for Ontario introduced Bill 212, the Good Government Act, 2009, (“Bill 212”) in the Ontario Legislature, which passed second reading on November 18, 2009.  Bill 212 is currently before the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, and it is expected to return before the House by November 30, 2009.  If Bill 212 passes, it will mean significant reform to the regulation of charities in Ontario by overcoming limitations that have for decade’s plagued charities operating in Ontario.  Most of these changes are a direct result of an initiative by the Ontario Bar Association’s Charity and Not-for-profit Section in calling for reform in this area.  An article by Terrance S. Carter in the recent Charity Law Bulletin from Carters.ca reviews the many changes to be implemented by this Bill.

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