Charities seek clear new public policy role

As the country prepares for the next federal election, 18 national charities are seeking clearer rules about how much of a role their sector can play in debates on public policy.

A letter sent to each of the five political parties asks for a platform commitment to modernizing the existing regime governing charitable groups.

Without it, there’s the risk of losing what the civil society sector can contribute to the broader public good, says the letter, signed by environment, public policy and international aid organizations.

“The work of charities contributes greatly to Canada’s democracy and the health and vigour of our democracy depends on much more than citizens voting in elections,” the letter said.

“The extent to which elections are informed and motivated by citizens engaging with each other on issues they care about is an indicator of the overall health of our political system.”

But charities are now fearful of carrying out that work thanks to the ongoing crackdown by Canada Revenue Agency, the letter said.

Since 2012, CRA has been auditing charities to look for those spending more than the legal 10 per cent of their time and resources on political activity. But there are broad interpretations of what that means and to what extent groups can engage in the policy development process, the letter said.

Claims that the audit process is biased have been repeatedly denied by the Canada Revenue Agency, which says its choices of audit target are based on criteria that have nothing to do with partisanship.