This Bulletin provides a guide to some basic information available to people who use, run or donate to charities.

The Public Guardian and Trustee

In Ontario, the Public Guardian and Trustee is responsible for the use of charitable property.

The Public Guardian and Trustee works with charities to help them deal with the problems (i.e., improper investments, improper use of donated property) they encounter. The Public Guardian and Trustee can also inquire into complaints about charities and can protect the public's interest in how charities raise and use their money.

If necessary, the Public Guardian and Trustee can apply to court to prevent those who run a charity from using the assets of the charity improperly.

How to get more information on charities

The Public Guardian and Trustee and the Companies and Personal Property Security Branch of the Ministry of Government Services have published the Not-For-Profit Incorporator's Handbook. This provides useful information to people running not-for-profit corporations, including charities. The Handbook is only available electronically.

The Public Guardian and Trustee has also published a number of information bulletins for people who use, run or donate to charities. The bulletins available are:

• Bulletin # 2 - Incorporating a Charity Using Pre-Approved Objects
• Bulletin # 3 - Duties, Responsibilities and Powers of Directors and Trustees of Charities
• Bulletin # 4 - Complaining About Charities
• Bulletin # 5 - Tips for Donors on Charitable Giving
• Bulletin # 6 - Red tape cut by new regulation under the Charities Accounting Act
• Bulletin # 7 - Investments by Directors and Trustees of Charities

Bulletin #2 - Incorporating a Charity Using Pre-Approved Objects - is also distributed by Companies and Personal Property Security Branch.

Please note that the Handbook and the charities bulletins are intended to provide basic information on charities. They are not intended to give legal advice. For legal advice, charities should consult their legal advisor.

Useful Addresses

Companies and Personal Property Security Branch
Ministry of Government Services
393 University Avenue, Suite 200
Toronto, ON M5G 2M2
Tel: (416) 314-8880 or in Ontario
toll free at 1-800-361-3223

Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee
Charitable Property Program
595 Bay Street, Suite 800
Toronto, ON M5G 2M6
Tel: (416) 326-1963 or in Ontario
toll free at 1-800-366-0335
Internet: www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/family/pgt