ABSURD CONVERSATION OR MAY BE NOT SO ABSURD!! The Canada Revenue Agency has told OXFAM Canada that preventing poverty around the world is not a goal. It can only alleviate poverty if it wishes to retain its non-profit status. Preventing poverty might benefit people who are not already poor. For example A group of millionaires could get together to prevent their poverty, and that would not be deemed a charitable purpose. OXFAM Canadas executive director called this an absurd conversation. Philippe Brideau, spokesman for the Canada Revenue Agency, said legal precedents mean charities cannot help people not already impoverished from falling into poverty. Purposes that relieve poverty are charitable because they provide relief only to eligible beneficiaries, those in need, Brideau said in an email. However, the courts have not found the risk of poverty as being equivalent to actually being in need. Therefore, as the courts have indicated, an organization cannot be registered with the explicit purpose of preventing poverty. OXFAM Canada was singled out for criticism earlier this year by Employment Minister Jason Kenney over the groups opposition to Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The Canada Revenue Agency, armed with $13 million in special funding, is currently auditing some 52 groups, many of whom have criticized the Harper governments programs and policies, especially on the environment. The list includes Amnesty International Canada, the David Suzuki Foundation, Canada Without Poverty, and the United Church of Canadas Kairos charity. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Posted on: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 12:47:14 +0000