Welcome and Introduction
Michael Blatchford — Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, Vancouver
Martha Rans — Barrister & Solicitor, Vancouver
Dispute Resolution with the Civil Resolution Tribunal
Learn about the first online tribunal in Canada, which will assume jurisdiction over Societies Act and Cooperative Associations Act disputes in the coming year. This session will explain:
- the CRT’s philosophy
- how it works
- answer any questions you may have
Shannon Salter — Chair, Civil Resolution Tribunal, Vancouver
Access to Records and Privacy Update
- what records are required to be maintained under the Societies Act and how they must be maintained
- who is entitled to inspect corporate records and how that access can be restricted
- responding to requests for disclosure of corporate records
- access to corporate records through Registrar of Companies and/or CRT
- privacy issues in respect of disclosure of corporate records
Kate Bake-Paterson — DLA Piper (Canada) LLP, Vancouver
Martha Rans — Barrister & Solicitor, Vancouver
Break
Sexual Misconduct/Harassment and Non-Profits
Allegations of sexual harassment pervade today’s headlines. Non-profit structures create complex relationships between boards, executives, members, and volunteers, which can make navigating these types of claims more complex. This session will discuss:
- what is sexual misconduct?
- whose conduct can be misconduct or harassment?
- what must non-profit organizations do to prevent sexual misconduct?
- what must non-profit organizations do internally to respond to sexual misconduct?
- how should non-profit organizations handle sexual harassment complaints to the provincial Tribunal or federal Commission?
Clea Parfitt — Clea F. Parfitt, Lawyer, Vancouver
The Ongoing Saga of Charities and the Regulation of "Political Activities"—A Review of the Canada Without Poverty Decision
In July 2018, the Ontario Superior Court issued reasons for judgment in the case of Canada Without Poverty v. Attorney General (Canada), in which the charity invoked the Charter claiming that regulation of political activities by the Income Tax Act infringed on the Charity’s freedom of expression. The court agreed with the charity’s position and struck down the relevant sections of the statute. While the decision is currently under appeal, the court’s reasons provide fertile ground for analysis and opinion about the role of registered charities in public policy discourse and the nature of “political activities.” On September 14, the federal government proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act related to this same issue. This session will:
- summarize the context of the case
- provide an overview of the court’s reasons and the proposed amendments
- offer some comments on the possible ramifications for the charitable sector
Michael Blatchford — Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, Vancouver
Networking Lunch (Provided)
Last Minute Societies Act Transition Applications—Essentials
There are about 27,000 BC organizations incorporated under BC’s Societies Act. All are required to transition under the Societies Act by November 28, 2018. As of early September, only about 52% had transitioned. There is likely to be considerable demand on lawyer’s services for transitions over the next few months. This session will focus on:
- the essentials of Societies Act transitions
- working with last-minute transitions
- the common pitfalls and problems, and how to address them
Dierk Ullrich — Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver
Anders Ourom — Sole Practitioner, Vancouver
Break
Non-Profit Housing — Objectives and Challenges
- squaring your purposes with the housing needs in your community
- meeting conflicting demands of government funders and regulators
- determining who will have ultimate control over operations and assets
- building for long-term sustainability
Mike Walker — Miller Thomson LLP, Vancouver
Introduction to GST Issues for Charities and Non-Profit Organizations
While registered charities and non-profit organizations are exempt generally from paying income tax, there are many situations in which they have obligations under the Excise Tax Act related to the payment, collection and remittance of GST. This session, made with non-tax lawyers in mind, will summarize:
- basic GST concepts applicable to registered charities
- how to spot potential GST issues for your charity clients
- when a charity needs to register for GST
- certain common situations where charities must collect and remit GST
Riley Burr — Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, Vancouver
Closing Remarks
Michael Blatchford — Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, Vancouver
Martha Rans — Barrister & Solicitor, Vancouver