I am willing to take care of the administration.  Currently I have two for profit corporations and dealing with the books of a none profit will not be much more work.

I spoke with the CRA and have also read elsewhere that one can apply for charity status either before or after incorporation.  I know that for donations from corporations charity status is not needed as they can just write off the expense.  It is useful for donations from individuals however.

The purpose put forth for the charity application needs to be the same as the one used for incorporation.  It is easier to get a purpose approved first and than use that to incorporate rather than incorporate with a statement of purpose and have it refused by the CRA, needing to than change the purpose of the corporation.

One does not need to either incorporate or get charity status.  We as an organization can just do stuff.  Doing the previous two tasks however increases the legitimacy of our organization.  Wikimedia Canada can do many things.  I am planning on using Wikimedia Canada to promote the use of Wikipedia by Universities / Medical Schools.  Hope to speak at some medical conferences regarding Wikiproject Medicine in the next year.  Many other uses however are possible.

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James Heilman
MD, CCFP-EM, B.Sc.