Alan Walker wrote:

This really is the problem. A lot of time is spent quibbling over making it perfect. By-laws change often in an active corporation. The step here that needs to be taken is basic legal advice to incorporating the charity so that it has charitable status. I think it cost me around $500.00 to incorporate. The reason we want to take this step is to enable us to provide tax receipts to donors. This is a critical step in raising money which would enable this project to grow beyond a mailing list.

Obtaining charitable status under the Income Tax Act is a second step that comes after incorporation as a non-profit. Incorporation alone does not automatically provide that status.

The new Act does give more flexibility around the matter of by-law changes. They will no longer need ministry approval before they come into effect, but they will need to be filed with the ministry after they are passed.

If you feel the need to consult a lawyer for advice about any of these things nobody is stopping you from doing so at your own expense.

Ray