The Advisory Committee on the Charitable Sector Tables Their First Report

The Advisory Committee on the Charitable Sector (ACCS) has released their first report with recommendations for creating an enabling federal regulatory environment that strengthens the charitable and nonprofit sectors.

The ACCS is a consultative forum for the Government of Canada to engage in meaningful dialogue with the charitable sector, advance emerging issues relating to charities, and ensure the regulatory environment supports the important work that charities do. It is co-chaired by the charitable sector and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

The 14 sector members of the ACCS’ first report focus on three key areas:

• Recommendation #1: Remove the “own activities” test from the Income Tax Act, and require through this amendment a focus on resource accountability.

• Recommendation #2: Amend the Income Tax Act, to implement Recommendation #23 from the Senate Special Committee Report, Catalyst for Change: A Roadmap to a Stronger Charitable Sector.

• Recommendation #3: Create a permanent “home in government” for Canada’s charities and nonprofits, outside of the CRA.

Click here to read the full report.