A Note about DWD Canada's Charity Status | Dying with Dignity

Dying with Dignity

 

Dying with Dignity Canada (DWD Canada) has learned it will lose its registered charity status as the result of recent political-activity audits by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

In a letter dated January 16, the CRA said DWD Canada’s charitable status will be annulled as soon as next month because the organization, in the federal agency’s view, had been “registered in error” in 1982 and again when DWD Canada was re-registered in 2011.
“Based on our findings, it is our opinion that the Organization was, in fact, registered in error and, as a result, its registration under the [Income Tax Act] should be annulled,” the letter reads.
Founded in 1982, DWD Canada is a health and educational charity focused on promoting choice and dignity at end of life. The organization educates about the case for physician assisted dying, provides information about patient rights and advance care planning, and offers one-on-one support to individuals who are dying and want to do so on their own terms. In addition to making the case for the legalization of physician assisted dying, the charity had categorized a number of its activities as advancing education, such as its: • workshops and presentations
• quarterly newsletter,
• website and
• advance care planning resource kits.
However, the CRA determined that DWD Canada does not conduct “any activities advancing education in the charitable sense”. DWD Canada has a small staff (there were four staff positions during the audit period) and relies on volunteers for much of its work. In 2013, supporters donated approximately 8,000 volunteer-hours to the cause.
After fully assessing all options, the charity’s board of directors has voted not to oppose the annulment, which is expected to come into effect on or after February 15.  The change in status will not affect the tax deductibility of any donations made to DWD Canada prior to that date. Until the annulment is finalized, DWD Canada will remain a registered charity to which Canadians can make tax-deductible donations. After that point, the organization will become a non-profit without registered charity status. 
Because the CRA is proposing to annul DWD Canada’s registered status — as opposed to revoking it — all assets belonging to DWD Canada will remain with the organization. As a result, DWD Canada will not only be able to continue its important work in the area of promoting choice and dignity at end of life, but it will also, after its conversion to a non-profit, be free to focus on political advocacy without constraints.
More information about DWD Canada's next steps will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead. If you have any immediate concerns, please call us at 1-800-495-6156 or send an e-mail