CBA Charity Law Conference - AGENDA

Apr. 25, 2025
Toronto ON

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CBA Charity Law Conference

CBA Charity Law Conference
Presented by the CBA Charity Law Section

Friday April 25, 2025 | TORONTO, ON
AGENDA

Join us for a 1-day conference. The day’s first segment will feature a panel discussion on the role of the charitable sector within the growing conservation finance movement, followed by a presentation discussing the spectrum of investment powers of charities across Canada. Following a short break, a panel discussion will commence on select challenges experienced by Canadian charities operating abroad. An update from the Canada Revenue Agency Charities Directorate will follow lunch, after which there will be a presentation taking the temperature of the recent changes to the disbursement quota, a case law update, and a presentation concerning the regulation of charities in Canada. After a brief break, a brief discussion will be had on what Canadian charities need to know during a federal election followed by the presentation of both the CBA Jane Burke Robertson Award of Excellence in Charity and Not-for-Profit Law and the CBA Charities and Not-for-Profit Law Student Essay Contest winner.

Agenda Subject to Change

**Friday, April 25, 2025**
TIME	EVENT
7:45 am – 8:30 am	Registration and Breakfast OBA — Foyer
8:30 am – 8:35 am	Opening Remarks OBA — Grand Salon Co-Chairs: Bryan Millman, Miller Thomson LLP (Vancouver, BC) Anna Naud, True North Law P.C. (Whitby, ON)
8:35 am – 9:50 am	Conservation Finance Panel OBA — Grand Salon Kelsey Scarfone, Acting Director of Economic Development and Senior Policy Advisor, Conservation (Métis National Council), and Kim Neale (Manitoulin Climate Collaborative), discussed the interrelationship of Indigenous rights and equitable benefit sharing structures within the growing conservation finance area, including what lawyers need to understand about the Rights of Indigenous Peoples when advising clients who are interested in collaborating on conservation finance initiatives. Their focus for the Conference was to explain the variety of conservation finance tools and emphasize the distinct nature of Métis, First Nations, and Inuit and how lawyers can and should consider approaching and providing customized advice to clients working with these different potential partners. A discussion on the role of the charitable sector within the growing conservation finance movement. Speakers: Karen Cooper, Karen Cooper Professional Corporation (Ottawa, ON) Kim Neale, environmental engineer, Manitoulin Climate Collaborative (Kagawong, ON) Kelsey Scarfone, Acting Director of Economic Development and Senior Policy Advisor, Conservation, of the Métis National Council (Ottawa, ON)
9:50 am – 11:00 am	The Spectrum of Investment Powers of Charities Across Canada, Including Impact Investing OBA — Grand Salon A presentation explaining the legal guardrails that charities need to be aware of with regards to the investment of charitable assets, as well as tips on how to develop a general investment policy, and a discussion on impact investing by the charitable sector. Speakers: Terrance Carter, Partner at Carters Professional Corporation (Orangeville, ON) Yvonne Chenier, K.C., Legal Counsel (Calgary, AB) Jacqueline Demczur, Partner at Carters Professional Corporation (Orangeville, ON) Luke Johnson, Barrister & Solicitor, L. Johnson Law Group, (Surrey, BC)
11:00 am – 11:15 am	Refreshment Break OBA — Foyer Sponsor
11:20 am – 12:20 pm	Canadian Charities Abroad OBA — Grand Salon A discussion about challenges encountered by Canadian charities while carrying on activities within the geographic borders of foreign nations. Speakers: Philip Milley, Mastercard Foundation (Toronto, ON) Andrew Valentine, Partner at Miller Thomson LLP (Toronto, ON) Ryan Prendergast, Partner at Carters Professional Corporation (Orangeville, ON)
12:20 pm – 1:00 pm	Networking Lunch OBA — Foyer Sponsor
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm	CRA Comes to Lunch OBA — Grand Salon An update on the work of the Charities Directorate and its ongoing initiatives. Speaker: Sharmila Khare, Director General, Canada Revenue Agency (Ottawa, ON)
1:35 pm – 2:35 pm	The Disbursement Quota: The Regime and Working Within It OBA — Grand Salon A Deeper Dive into the Disbursement Quota and What It Means For Registered Charities in Practice. Speakers: Theresa Man, Partner at Carters Professional Corporation (Orangeville, ON) Gwenyth Stadig, Partner at Gowling WLG LLP (Waterloo, ON)
2:35 pm – 3:15 pm	Case Law Update OBA — Grand Salon An update on noteworthy cases from 2024-2025. Speaker: Valerie Sedlezky, Torkin Manes LLP (Toronto, ON)
3:15 pm – 4:15 pm	An Appealing Illusion OBA — Grand Salon An analysis of the process governing the appeal of CRA registration refusals and revocations and why the CRA’s disclosure practices and restrictions are relevant. Speaker: Bob Wyatt, Muttart Foundation (Edmonton, AB)
4:15 pm – 4:25 pm	Refreshment Break OBA — Foyer Sponsor
4:25 pm – 5:25 pm	Charity in Culture and Politics OBA — Grand Salon Sponsor A review and discussion of charity, including the definition of “charity,” in our culture and politics, starting with a review of the rules governing political advocacy by registered charities and ending with Trump(!). Speakers: Susan Manwaring, Miller Thomson LLP (Toronto, ON) David Stevens, Gowlings WLG (Toronto, ON)
5:30 pm – 5:45 pm	CBA Jane Burke-Robertson Award of Excellence in Charity and Not-For-Profit Law Presentation OBA — Grand Salon
5:45 pm – 6:00 pm	CBA Charities and Not-for-Profit Law Student Essay Contest Presentation OBA — Grand Salon
6:00 pm – 6:15 pm	Closing Remarks OBA — Grand Salon Co-Chairs: Bryan Millman, Miller Thomson LLP (Vancouver, BC) Anna Naud, True North Law P.C. (Whitby, ON)