Special Senate Committee on the charitable sector: submission
Universities Canada provided input to the Special Senate Standing Committee on the Charitable Sector’s study on the impact of federal, provincial and territorial laws and policies governing Canada’s charities.
Canada’s universities are active members of the non-profit and charitable sector and they partner closely with other organizations, including our colleagues in the college system, on a variety of charitable initiatives. Universities have a three-part mission: teaching, research, and community service, through which they support not only students but entire communities across the country.
The charitable sector generates more than seven per cent of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employs more than two million people. Canada’s universities play a key role in driving that growth, with $35 billion in direct expenditures every year, and by employing close to 300,000 people. Strengthening and supporting the charitable sector will not only help support organisations like universities, which provide key services and improve the quality of life of all Canadians, but will also help grow the Canadian economy.
To help strengthen the Canadian charitable sector, Universities Canada recommends that the Government of Canada:
- Fund data collection about the charitable sector
- Create a “home in government” for the charitable sector to ensure its sustainability and vitality are reflected in all federal policies and decisions
- Remove the capital gains tax on donations of real estate and private company assets
- Continue to implement the recommendations of the Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy Co-Creation Steering Group and of the Independent Blue Ribbon Panel on Grant and Contribution Programs
- Launch a collaborative process to modernize the legal and regulatory regime under which charities and non-profits operate, including an exemption from Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation.
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