Person working at computer

Understanding Charity and Non-Profit Law

Program Description

person holding paper

This six-hour online course is for legal professionals, advisors, and non-profit managers who work with charities and non-profit organizations across Canada, or plan to do so. It will be of particular value to lawyers or CPAs who encounter charity or non-profit tax issues in their practice but lack specialized training in this area, as well as professionals seeking a clearer understanding of the legal framework governing the voluntary sector.

Participants will gain a practical overview of the tax and corporate law applicable to registered charities and non-profit organizations, including federal and provincial incorporation, charitable registration, and compliance obligations. The course will examine issues such as charitable purposes, receipting, governance, and the distinction between charitable and non-profit status, along with rules about revenues, fundraising, and related business activities.

The course will also introduce participants to the administration and enforcement side of charity and non-profit law, including audits, sanctions, revocation, and appeal mechanisms. Throughout the sessions, attention will be given to policy considerations underpinning the regulation of the sector, including transparency, equity, and administrative challenges. By the end of the course, participants will be better equipped to identify key legal risks, advise clients on compliance and governance, and know when specialized advice is required.

The course is offered over two afternoons and will be eligible for CPD accreditation.

Accreditation

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Law Society of Ontario and contains 1 hour of Professionalism content focused on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and 5 hours of Substantive content.

What Our Participants Say:

Survey data of past participants finds that 9 out of 10 past participants would recommend this course to a colleague. Read comments from past participants below:

Accessible Expertise:

        “Well organized, interesting and pertinent content delivered in an accessible way.”

Approachable & Comprehensive:

      “The course was wonderful! I felt like I learned a lot [through] an enjoyable approach to a relatively intimidating topic.

Career Growth:

      “I enjoyed having the opportunity to learn about a new subject area that could help me to work in a different legal field.”

Meet Your Instructor

Samuel Singer

Samuel Singer is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa. 

Professor Singer has published tax research on topics including the principal residence exemption, the modernization of non-profit law in Canada, tax remission orders, evidentiary privilege for tax professionals, directors’ liability in tax law, critical tax theory, the tax treatment of trans medical expenses, and charity law reform.

Before academia, Professor Singer worked as the Legal Information Coordinator at the Centre for Community Organizations in Montreal. He articled with the National Judicial Institute, clerked at the Tax Court of Canada, and practiced as a tax lawyer with Stikeman Elliott LLP in Montreal. Professor Singer went on to establish his own law practice, working in tax law, charity and non-profit law, and on trans legal issues. He is a member of both the Québec and Ontario Bars.