Deina Warren
Director of Legal Affairs
What's inside
Hello, Bulletin readers! It's been a busy time here in the CCCC Legal Department where I serve as Director of Legal Affairs. We're working hard to advocate on issues that we believe are necessary for a robust, healthy charitable sector. A significant part of that comes from ensuring there is a favourable environment for faith-based charities to operate, but we always have a view of what is good for the sector as a whole.
When a ministry joins CCCC, it helps to strengthen our advocacy voice in the sector. You may not realize the many ways CCCC is working on your behalf, from our participation on the CRA Technical Issues Working Group, intervening in court cases, and our active engagement in the legal sector through the Ontario Bar Association. I share a fulsome report of the Legal Affairs department's activities in my written update. Please consider donating to CCCC's Legal Defence Fund. It helps us continue this important work!
I also provide charitable sector updates in each Bulletin and conduct the legal review of our CCCC resources. It's a big job, but it's a privilege to support our members in this way!
Core Logic: Pathway to Mission Fulfillment
Harvard Business School teaches it to the social sector. The Federal government requires it for many grants. Foundations ask for it, and the business sector uses it too. What is it? It is a logic model, the logic that explains why an organization's activities should get the results it expects. Individual programs may have their own logic model, but the core logic model tops them all. In a Christian ministry, core logic informs all mission-related decisions from the organizational level down to the program level. It produces more creative, comprehensive, and effective ministry; drives superior performance; and generates fruitfulness. Here’s how to develop one.
Read moreDocumenting Charity Investments
How well does your organization steward donated funds? The answer plays a significant role when donors decide where to give next time, and in the effectiveness of your charity. It might be time to invest if your funds are greater than both your operational and reserve needs. Your investments should reflect the stewardship values of your charity and be recorded in an investment policy statement (IPS).
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Benevolence
Benevolence is an act of kindness or generosity. Benevolent acts characterized Jesus' ministry; He fed the hungry and took practical steps to ease the suffering of the poor and ill. The early church also took care of those with physical needs. In Acts 6, the Apostles appointed a special group of ministers to distribute food to widows. Today, in Canada and in other parts of the world, the Church is still helping people who are poor and in need. This category of resources helps you understand and comply with the rules and requirements of giving charitable gifts to those in need.
Read moreWhat's New In the Knowledge Base?
The CCCC Knowledge Base is always changing and growing. This page is where we highlight major changes to the site and resources. It is also a record of what we are learning about technology, remote work, and collaborative information sharing. Open the dropdown menus for each month to see a list of new and revised resources.
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CCCC's Short-Term Travel Insurance
Planning a missions trip? CCCC members can enroll in this insurance plan that has been designed in direct response to the needs of individuals who are assigned to short-term mission trips outside of Canada.
Canada Summer Jobs 2022 - Scrutiny and Survey
Organizations no longer have to “check the box” and attest to certain beliefs before submitting a CSJ application, but some faith-based organizations are still subject to scrutiny. The scrutiny now comes after the application and is usually based on concerns about statements of faith or community covenants found online or in news reports. Applicants are given a short, 5-day response window. To help members in this situation, we created new resources: a list of Preliminary Considerations, Options to Consider, and some Year-Round work you can do to prepare.
We also want to hear from you. We have a short, three-question survey that we hope you’ll complete to help us better support you before, during and after your CSJ applications.
And if you’re new to CSJ and want to get up to speed, you can check our CSJ blog series or our CSJ articles in the Hiring and Onboarding section of our Knowledge Base.
Human Rights Complaint Adjourned
You might remember Klassen v Star of the Sea Parish, a human rights complaint in British Columbia. It was about whether or not the Parish had a reasonable justification for not renting its hall to the White Rock Pride Society for a Pride event. CCCC applied for and was granted intervener status to present written arguments to the Tribunal.
The hearing was originally scheduled for January 2022 and then rescheduled for May 2022. Last month, the hearing was adjourned and the parties may resolve the matter outside of the Tribunal. Should the hearing be rescheduled, CCCC will revive our intervention.
There are four Tribunal decisions related to the complaint, summaries of which are all available on the Klassen Summary Page in our Knowledge Base.
Quick Picks
CCCC staff are constantly reading news, reports, and other resources to stay on top of developments in the charitable sector. We think you'll find these picks helpful!
- 2022 Ministry Survey. Results are in! Waybase, a CCCC partner, has just released results from a comprehensive survey about the Future of Christian Ministries and Churches in Canada. It looks at everything from the future of leadership to navigating technology to adapting to challenge and change. You can also check out City Impact Tour (May-June 2022) where you can gain more insights from the survey results.
- Charitable status. A recent piece in Policy Options discusses how the proposal to deny charitable status to "anti-abortion organizations" will subject "charitable status to the whims of politics" and "threatens the entire charitable sector." It echoes many of the concerns CCCC raised in letters to cabinet ministers.
- Politics and prayer. A recent opposition motion proposed to remove from a daily prayer from the Standing Orders of the House of Commons. The prayer is read each day before House business starts. The motion would replace it with a moment of reflection.
- Fair CRA processes. The Federal Court recently found a 2020 CERB application review process unfair and ordered CRA's denial of benefits be reconsidered.
- Class Actions. The Ontario Superior Court did not certify a class action for the return of donations based on allegations of misconduct. But just because legal standards for a class aren't met doesn't leave charities free to do what they want. The CRA and public guardian and trustees still have oversight and authority to impose penalties. Having and following a gift acceptance policy is an important step to protecting your donors and your organization!
- Euthanasia. A Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) is reviewing MAID laws, including for mature minors, by advance directive and expansion to those whose only condition is mental illness. A recent op-ed argues that euthanasia should not be further expanded and our friends at Christian Legal Fellowship have submitted a brief to the Committee outlining significant legal and social concerns. With possible (likely?) MAID expansion, Cardus' policy brief Protecting Conscience Rights for Ontario Healthcare Workers is an important proposal that's worth a read.
When Is A Business A Related Business As Per CRA?
Community members discuss a coffee company contracted by a church to provide regular coffee service during its worship services, and being allowed to sell premium coffees and baked goods beyond the contract. Learn more about what constitutes a related business under CRA and ask questions about your own charity's activities to be sure you are operating within the Income Tax Act.
Read moreDiscrimination & Canada Summer Jobs Program
Charities hoping to benefit from the 2022 Canada Summer Jobs Program are receiving letters requesting additional information or clarification in their applications. Find out how other charities are responding to these requests and see what the CCCC member support team are doing to assist.
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Electronic Time Sheets
A user asked the community how other charities are tracking and approving employee time? Discover the many different tools and solutions used by other charities and see whether any of those solutions might help your charity. Feel free to add your ideas to the discussion to benefit the whole community!
Read moreServices
A Pro When You Need One
The professionals listed in our Professional Associates Directory provide services to charities and practice in four general areas: law, accounting, insurance, and consulting.
Contact details
Canadian Centre for Christian Charities
1 - 43 Howard Ave
Elmira, ON N3B 2C9
(519) 669-5137
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