10 Ways Environmental Groups Are Abusing Their Registered Charity Status With Political Activities

It might be political activity if...

Registered charities in Canada are prohibited from engaging in political activity. Why do charities have to follow rules of the Canada Revenue Agency? Well, charities should be those organizations that appeal to the common good, not partisan campaigns of controversial nature.

Charitable status helps charities to fundraise because it gives them the opportunity to issue charitable tax receipts. Since some charities are in contravention of the CRA rules on this, I made this list to give just some examples that may have motivated Federal Minister Jim Flaherty's to say, "So if I were an environmental charity using charitable money, tax-receipted money for political purposes I would be cautious."

1. Making Political Endorsements of Candidates

CBC News / Via cbc.ca

“When I saw Joyce Murray’s platform, I said, ‘Wow, this is something substantive. […] Sustainability is written all over her proposals. […] And she’s taken a bold step in saying that we should put a price on carbon.”

2. Asking Canadians to Send Form Letter Petition to the Federal Minister of the Environment

David Suzuki Foundation / Via action.davidsuzuki.org

The David Suzuki Foundation urges Canadians to sign a petition to express “sadness and shame on hearing of your decision to withdraw Canada from the Kyoto Protocol” and saying that “regardless of your government’s failure to adequately address climate change, I and my family and friends will continue to fight…”

3. Receiving Funding from Foreign Governments for Climate Change “Objectives” in Canada

Via Email from the UK High Commission, November 4, 2011.

The David Suzuki Foundation has received funding from United Kingdom for its “Race to the Top” program. An email from the UK High Commission said: “For both projects, examples of media coverage are great, as they help us convey to London and other colleagues how the [David Suzuki Foundation] is helping take forward the UK‘s climate change and low carbon objectives in Canada.” (emphasis added).

4. Phoning 50,000 Households regarding Environment Minister’s Comments on the Oil Sands

Via Environmental Defence press release entitled “Peter Kent Questioned on ‘Ethics’ in Thornhill: Environmentalists Scale Up Response To Tar Sands With Ads, Canvassing, And Calling All 50,000 Households", On February 12, 2011,

Environmental Defence engaged in prohibited partisan political activity when it issued its press release “Peter Kent Questioned on ‘Ethics’ in Thornhill.” This press release explicitly opposed the views of one particular elected representative: Environment Minister Peter Kent. The press release refers to a “multi-pronged response in Peter Kent’s home base in Thornhill, which included ads, canvassing, and calling every household to identify citizens who disagree with the Minister’s tar sands comments.”

5. Traveling Across Europe to Denounce the Canadian and Alberta Governments

Via canadians.org

“A delegation from the Council of Canadians, Climate Action Network Canada and the Indigenous Environmental Network will travel to Paris, The Hague, London and Berlin to deliver a clear message of opposition to the federal and Alberta government and industry confuse and lobby campaign against the European Fuel Quality Directive – more information on this soon!”

6. Issuing a press release calling the passage of a Bill “a sad day for Canadian democracy”

Wilderness Committee / Via wildernesscommittee.org

“The Wilderness Committee joins thousands of Canadians across the country in expressing deep disappointment at this week’s passing of Bill C-38… This is a sad day for Canadian democracy… History will not look kindly upon this government's actions," said Ben West.

7. Acting as Conduit of Charitable Funds for Organizations without Charitable Status

Tides Canada regularly funds activities that are not under their direct control for organizations that do not have charitable status in Canada. In doing so, Tides acts as a conduit - accepting donations for which it typically issues tax-deductible receipts - then funneling the money, without maintaining direction and control, non-qualified organizations. Some of these include: the Big Wild Fund, Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, the Canopy Fund, ForestEthics, the Living Oceans Society, the Pacific Wild Fund, Rainforest Action Network, and The Tyee – all of which do not have Canadian charitable status.

8. Political Lobbying for Ontario’s Green Energy and Economy Act

Environmental Defence / Via environmentaldefence.ca

“Environmental Defence was a leading member of the Green Energy Act Alliance, a grassroots coalition of trade associations, environmental groups, community groups, First Nations, farmers and landowners which educated Ontarians about the need for the Green Energy & Economy act in 2009.”

9. Appearing in Partisan Political Campaign Advertising

National Post / Via news.nationalpost.com

“[John] Laforet nevertheless said he agreed with the move, noting the Suzuki Foundation is one of a number of pro-Liberal groups that receive government funding. “For David Suzuki to make any kind of endorsement is completely inappropriate,” he said.

10. Calling on People to Protest CRA Audits of their Organizations (How convenient!)

Rick Smith, Environmental Defence, “Silence is not an option,” May 7, 2012. / Via environmentaldefence.ca

“The budget also spends $8 million so the Canada Revenue Agency can harass charities through audits. […] So please join us. Take a minute and visit blackoutspeakout.ca, sign up to help, and spread the word. Together, we’re going to show powerful oil interests and their government that Canadians care about our environment, and believe speaking up for it is a very useful thing indeed.”

In Canada, speech is free for everyone. Registered charitable status, on the other hand, is not.

This is why the CRA prohibits organizations with blatantly political purposes from having charitable status describing political purposes as those that seek to: "further the interests of a particular political party; or support a political party or candidate for public office; or retain, oppose, or change the law, policy, or decision of any level of government in Canada or a foreign country."

For more commentary on how environmental organizations in Canada are abusing their registered charitable status, contact Amanda at amanda.achtman [at] gmail.com.