Christ Apostolic Church International - Canada v. Canada (Revenue Agency)

Christ Apostolic Church International - Canada v. Canada (Revenue Agency) Court (s) Database Federal Court of Appeal Decisions Date 2010-10-01 Neutral citation 2010 FCA 252 File numbers A-294-10 Decision Content Date: 20101001 Docket: A-294-10 Citation: 2010 FCA 252 CORAM: NOËL J.A. EVANS J.A. MAINVILLE J.A. BETWEEN: CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH INTERNATIONAL - CANADA Appellant and CANADA REVENUE AGENCY - CHARITIES DIRECTORATE Respondent Dealt with in writing without appearance of parties. Judgment delivered at Ottawa, Ontario, on October 1, 2010. REASONS FOR JUDGMENT BY: MAINVILLE J.A. CONCURRED IN BY: NOËL J.A. EVANS J.A. Date: 20101001 Docket: A-294-10 Citation: 2010 FCA 252 CORAM: NOËL J.A. EVANS J.A. MAINVILLE J.A. BETWEEN: CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH INTERNATIONAL - CANADA Appellant and CANADA REVENUE AGENCY - CHARITIES DIRECTORATE Respondent REASONS FOR JUDGMENT MAINVILLE J.A [1] This concerns a motion by the respondent seeking an order quashing this appeal. The respondent contends that the appeal to this Court is made under paragraph 172(3)(a.1) of the Income Tax Act, R.S.C. 1985, c.2 (5th Supp.), as amended, and that the conditions for such an appeal to be initiated have yet to be fulfilled. [2] On July 16, 2010 the appellant was notified through registered mail that the Minister of National Revenue proposed to revoke its registration within 30 days pursuant to paragraphs 168(1)(b), 168(1)(d) and 168(1)(e) of the Income Tax Act. The notice of the Minister’s proposal further indicated that if the appellant wished to object to the intention to revoke its registration, it could provide within 90 days a written notice of objection pursuant to subsection 168(4) of the Income Tax Act. [3] In an affidavit dated August 27, 2010, Martine Mandeville, a program/project manager in the Charities Redress Section of the Appeals Branch of the Canada Revenue Agency, confirms that as of the date of her affidavit, a notice of objection had not been filed by the appellant in respect of the proposed revocation of its registration. [4] The appellant rather filed a notice of appeal in this Court on August 17, 2010 challenging the revocation of its registration on the grounds that the appellant organization is new and that the loss of its registration will impede its ability to assist single mothers, young offenders and newcomers to Canada. [5] The effect of subsection 168(4) of the Income Tax Act is to extend the objection review process of section 165 of that Act to charity registration revocations. It is only after such a review has been initiated that an appeal concerning the revocation of the registration may be brought before the Federal Court of Appeal in the circumstances set out in paragraph 172(3)(a.1) of the Income Tax Act. [6] Thus, the Income Tax Act provides that an appeal to this Court regarding the revocation of the registration of a charity is subject to (a) the appellant first serving on the Minister of National Revenue a prior notice of objection pursuant to subsection 168(4) of the Income Tax Act and (b) the Minister either confirming the revocation of the registration of a charity or not confirming or vacating such revocation within 90 days of the notice of objection. [7] It should however be noted that a charitable organization may apply to this Court or a judge of this Court pursuant to paragraph 168(2) of the Income Tax Act in order to seek an extension of time before a notice is published in the Canada Gazette to give effect to the revocation of a registration. [8] In the circumstances at hand and with the facts as stated in the uncontested motion, it must be concluded that this appeal is premature. [9] The 90 day timeline for the appellant to serve a notice of objection pursuant to subsection 168(4) of the Income Tax Act has not yet expired. Consequently, I would dismiss this appeal without prejudice to the rights of the appellant, notably its right to submit a notice of objection pursuant to subsection 168(4) of the Income Tax Act and to eventually bring forth, if it deems it appropriate, a new appeal in this Court compliant with paragraph 172(3)(a.1) of that Act. [10] There shall be no order as to costs. "Robert M. Mainville" J.A. “I agree Marc Noël J.A.” “I agree John M. Evans J.A.” FEDERAL COURT OF APPEAL NAMES OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS OF RECORD DOCKET: A-294-10 STYLE OF CAUSE: Christ Apostolic Church International – Canada v. Canada Revenue Agency – Charities Directorate MOTION DEALT WITH IN WRITING WITHOUT APPEARANCE OF PARTIES REASONS FOR JUDGMENT BY: Mainville J.A. CONCURRED IN BY: Noël J.A. Evans J.A. DATED: October 1, 2010 WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS BY: Carol Calabrese FOR THE RESPONDENT SOLICITORS OF RECORD: Myles J. Kirvan Deputy Attorney General of Canada FOR THE RESPONDENT