In October 2014, the Broadbent Institute released Stephen Harper’s CRA: Selective Audits, “Political Activity” and Right Leaning Charities. The report was published amidst news that high-profile progressive charities continued to be audited by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), and threatened with revocation of their charity statuses. That report put forward evidence suggesting biased scrutiny of charities that are critical of the government by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The report also highlighted a pattern of right-leaning charities claiming 0% political activity in their tax filings. Specifically, it raised questions about the accuracy of the filings of 10 right-leaning charities between 2011 and 2013, calling into question their interpretations of the CRA’s definition of “political” activity.
This report analyzes the 2014 filings of the same 10 charities. It reveals that nine out of 10 again claim 0% political activity in their 2014 submissions to the CRA; one has yet to file or the CRA has yet to publish the filing. The report contrasts these claims with direct examples of possible political activity by these charities in 2014. The examples cited are only some of the many possible examples of political activity in which these groups engaged. The juxtaposition calls into question how these charities interpret the restrictions on engaging in “political activity” and why, if these groups are engaging in political activity, as defined by the CRA, the agency continues to allow them to report 0%.
The revelation of the claims of 0% political activity by these charities reaffirms the need for an independent inquiry to ensure transparency and fairness in the CRA’s decision-making criteria around political activity audits, and to ensure such processes are not subject to political interference.
‘Right-leaning Charities Continue to Claim 0% Political Activity to CRA’ is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0
