As troubling reports surfaced last year outlining the disproportionately high positivity rates of COVID-19 in racialized communities, Toronto-based resident doctor Vivek Govardhanam and some of his colleagues noticed a concerning trend: the information broadcast by public health units and governments wasn’t always reaching the most vulnerable people. He was thinking specifically of first-generation Canadians and…
The fundraising story during the COVID-19 pandemic has been something of a tale of two sectors. For organizations that depend heavily on events, the enforced social distancing has created a disaster. At what should be the height of its fundraising season, for example, the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) projected a $20 million loss in April….
Editor’s note: The charitable sector is responding rapidly to the expanding impact of the pandemic, in terms of outreach, operations, and advocacy. In the coming weeks, The Philanthropist will provide up-to-date coverage, as well as our usual reporting and commentary on other news of relevance to foundations, charities, and non-profits. Canada’s charitable sector has always stepped up in times of crisis, but the coronavirus pandemic…
Later this year, Canadians will vote in the 43rd federal election. Many non-profit organizations, networks, and coalitions see elections as a critical opportunity to raise relevant public policy issues. Recently, the rules for charities engaging in public policy have become a prominent source of debate and discussion in government and the sector. As we countdown…
Later this year, Canadians will vote in the 43rd federal election. Many non-profit organizations, networks, and coalitions see elections as a critical opportunity to raise relevant public policy issues. Recently, the rules for charities engaging in public policy have become a prominent source of debate and discussion in government and the sector. As we countdown…
This article is the sixth in a series on Poverty and Human Rights in Canada. SUMMARY: This article explores benefits screening, a system of auditing patients to identify those living in poverty and the benefits they may be eligible for, as an innovative step towards realizing the right to health in Canada by advancing health equity.[1]…
Introduction Most of what influences our health comes from outside the formal health care treatment system (Raphael, 2009; Wilkinson & Marmot, 2003). There is also general recognition that the well-being of communities depends on numerous actors– especially nonprofit organizations—operating in many environments (Health Council of Canada, 2010). Unfortunately, there are significant health inequities that persist…
Introduction Since the advent of universal medical care, Canadians have taken their right to medical care for granted and have assumed that there will always be doctors, nurses and other health care professionals and facilities available to them at no private cost whenever such services are needed. But somewhere along the line, the system has…
Introduction Three recent Ontario cases have addressed the question of the court’s power to intetvene in the activities of a charity. This article will analyze the law in England and the current state of the law in Ontario. The Position in England To understand the position in England, it is necessary to understand the framework…
Viewpoint expresses the particular view of contributors and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Philanthropist. Readers are invited to respond to articles in this section. If appropriate their views will be published. This article was developed from a presentation made by Mr. Castonguay to La Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie du Quebec Metropolitain…