Ottawa has decided it wants to study the issue of charitable giving in Canada.

The Senate Committee on Banking Trade and Commerce announced today it will study ways to boost charitable giving and how to bring about better programs, institutions and services “for the benefit of Canadians everywhere.” It hopes to have a final report by Dec. 31.

“The Committee has taken an interest in the issue of charitable giving,” said committee chairman Senator Richard Kroft said in a release.

The committee’s principal target will be tax policy. “We want to determine what can be done to enhance the opportunities for affordable giving by Canadians at all income levels, where the potential for such giving exists,” said deputy chair David Tkachuk .

The Committee plans hearings in Ottawa beginning next week and expects to hear from a wide range of witnesses including those from the health care, educational, social services, scientific, cultural, heritage preservation and other sectors. Professional and volunteer fundraisers as well as tax and other experts, academics and other interested parties will be called.

Its mandate is to examine:

  • the needs and opportunities of Canadians in relation to various aspects of Canadian life (such as health care, education, social and cultural programs and institutions, senior care, heritage preservation, scientific research and more) and the ability of Canadians to assist in these areas through charitable giving;
  • current federal policy measures on charitable giving;
  • new or enhanced federal policy measures, with an emphasis on tax policy, which may make charitable giving more affordable for Canadians at all income levels;
  • the impact of current and proposed federal policy measures on charitable giving at the local, regional and national levels and across charities;
  • the impact of current and proposed federal policy measures on the federal treasuries; and
  • any other related issues.



For further information, to appear as a witness or to provide a written submission, contact the committee’s clerk at : The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce The Senate, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A4. Tel.: (613) 993-4874 or 1-800-267-7362.