In coming together to address the Corporations
Act, we have assembled a small working group. Individuals with a wide
diversity of views and perspectives from the sector, in partnership
with some legal experts in nonprofit law, have formed an Expert
Reference Group. This committee is charged with examining the
consultation documents and legislative reform proposals from the
Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, providing feedback to the
Ministry, and providing the sector with advice and comments.
ONN is working collaboratively with staff at MGCS and the Ministry
of Citizenship and Immigration to ensure nonprofit organizations
participate in the modernization of the legislation. MGCS has issued
two consultation papers to date and recently issued Supplementary
Materials to the first consultation paper. In turn, ONN's Expert
Reference Group has created briefs on each of the consultation papers
which can be read here.
The Expert Reference Group has more or less adjourned until the government presents their proposed nonprofit legal framework. But they are poised to start working on the federal legislation, if need be, and are planning to examine the Ontario Charities Act as it relates to restrictions on social enterprise.
The Expert Reference Group includes:
- Janice Wiggins (Committee Chair), Project Director of Volunteer Lawyers Service, Pro-Bono Law Ontario
- Peter Alexander, Senior Policy Analyst, United Way of Toronto and representative for United Ways of Ontario
- Pat Bradley, Theatre Office and Research Manager, Ontario Arts Council
- Lynn Eakin, Funded by Metcalf Foundation to support sector organizational efforts
- Rory Gleeson, Policy Analyst, Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies
- Margaret Hancock, Executive Director, Family Service Association of Toronto
- Allyson Hewitt, Director, Social Entrepreneurship, MARS
- Brian Iler, Iler Campbell LLP
- Ted Jackson, Chair, Carleton University Center for Social Innovation
- Axelle Janczur, Executive Director, Access Alliance
- Laurie Mook, Manager, Center for Social Economy, OISE, U of T
- David Stevens, Gowlings LLP, and Ontario Bar Association Charity Law Section
- Cliff Goldfarb, Gardiner Roberts LLP
The Dark Horse Conversations - Part 1
ONN has invited Metcalf Foundation Fellow, Patricia Thompson, to reflect on the process of vocational renewal in a series of enews article with ONN. Pat encourages us to reflect upon the motivations and experiences that align who we are with the work we do and you are invited to continue this conversation, in person, with Pat at our 2010 Conference in April.
For now, we'd like to invite you to share your thoughts and comments on our website. Remember a time when you talked about your work and why you do it. What made that conversation useful?
Not-for-Profit Corporations Act receives Royal Assent
Posted July 26th, 2009 by ConstanceNew federal legislation that streamlines the regulatory burden on Canada's not-for-profit is ready to become law. Bill C-4, the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, passed Third Reading in the Senate and received Royal Assent. The federal government states that the act will enable organizations to incorporate faster and improve their financial accountability, clarify the roles and responsibilities of directors and officers, and enhance the protection of members' rights. read more »
Update on Changes to Federal Act (Bill C-4)
Posted April 1st, 2009 by Janice WigginsNonprofit corporate legislation is now a hot topic at the federal level in addition to the consultation process initiated almost two years ago within Ontario. Pending legislative change in our provincial jurisdiction, ONN's Expert Working Group started to look at the impact of a proposed federal bill in mid 2008. One federal election and a prorogue later, the Canadian government re-introduced changes to the law about incorporations again in January 2009. Bill C-4, An Act respecting not-for-profit corporations and certain other corporations 2009 is presently in legislative hearings in Ottawa.
ONN Brief on Proposed Changes to Bill C-4
Posted March 25th, 2009The Ontario Nonprofit Network submitted a brief to the National Task force examining proposed changes to the federal act governing not-for-profit organizations.
New rules for incorporating nonprofits?
Posted January 22nd, 2009 by ConstanceThe Ontario government is reviewing changes to the Ontario Corporations Act, the legislation that governs how nonprofits are incorporated. The proposed legislation would, among other things, make it easier for nonprofits to incorporate, replacing the cumbersome 'letters patent' with the 'as of right' system currently used for businesses in Ontario. The ONN, along with a number of other groups, prepared submissions on the proposed legislation on behalf of the nonprofit sector. To find out what's at stake with this new legislation and to read our submissions, click here.
Ontario Corporations Act
Posted May 28th, 2008ONN, along with a few other groups, wrote briefs to the sector on the Ontario Corporations Act. Read them here.
