By Canadian Press

Taxpayers’ ombudsperson investigates CRA targeting of Muslim-led charities

Aug 6, 2021 | 1:44 PM

OTTAWA — Taxpayers’ ombudsperson François Boileau will investigate the concerns of Muslim charities and other charities led by people of colour about being inappropriately targeted for audits.

Boileau says he is committing to examining the issues raised by the charities and he will work with these organizations to make sure they receive high quality services from the Canada Revenue Agency. 

His office will ask these charities to share their experiences with the agency and will examine all the publicly available documentation and information obtained from the agency related to the issue.

Boileau will provide National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier with an update on his investigation by Jan. 1, 2022.

Almost 100 Muslim organizations and civil society groups sent a letter last month to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calling on him to reform the Canada Revenue Agency’s practices for auditing that they argue unfairly target Muslim charities.

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The groups also asked the government to overturn a recent CRA decision to suspend the ability of Ottawa-based Human Concern International, a long-established Muslim charity, to issue tax receipts.

Lebouthillier committed during a national summit on Islamophobia last month to ask the taxpayers’ ombudsperson for a systemic review to address the concerns of the Muslim community regarding targeting of charities.

The minister also committed to appointing a member of the Muslim community to an advisory committee on the charitable sector.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 6, 2021.

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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

Maan Alhmidi, The Canadian Press