(Toronto) Provincial premiers are calling on the federal government to extend the deadline for reporting charitable donations on tax returns until the end of February.
Posted at 5:58 p.m.
Nicole Thompson
The Canadian Press
Ontario Premier Doug Ford made the request in a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Christmas Eve as president of the Council of the Federation.
“Canada's charities rely on year-end fundraising to support their activities throughout the year. However, this year's efforts were seriously affected by the Canada Post strike, which prevented people from making their usual holiday donations,” Mr. Ford wrote.
Charities have reported a significant drop in mailed donations during their peak demand time of year. They blame the Canada Post strike, which paralyzed mail for a month starting in mid-November, preventing people from sending “old-fashioned” checks.
Premiers are calling on the federal government to extend the deadline from the end of the year to the end of February 2025, which would allow donors to send their checks later than usual, while still being credited for fiscal year 2024.
They echo calls from the executive directors of three groups representing Canadian charities – Cooperation Canada, Imagine Canada and the Canadian Health Charities Coalition – who co-wrote an opinion piece published Monday in the Hill Times.
“The effects of the postal service strike will be felt until 2025. Extending the period for receiving donations until the first quarter of 2025 is a simple and effective solution to provide immediate relief and help the charitable sector recover donations. lost income,” said these three groups.
The Salvation Army, which reports a more than 50% drop in holiday donations it attributes to the strike, also called for an extension of the deadline of taxation.
“We are grateful to the prime ministers for understanding the importance of this,” said Lt. Col. John Murray, a spokesperson for the charity.
The Postal Workers Union, which represents more than 55,000 members, began a strike on November 15. Employees were ordered back to work on Dec. 17 when the Canada Industrial Relations Board ruled that the two sides were at an impasse and would not be able to reach an agreement before the end of the year.
Post offices began accepting the new mail two days later. But by then, donors didn't have much time to send their checks.
Murray says mailouts are particularly effective because the top donors to the Salvation Army are over 55 and more likely to use postal services.
Mr. Trudeau's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
