Charity and non-profit law for organisations across Canada, from a lawyer who spent a decade as counsel to the charitable sector.
Book a ConsultationCharitable registration is federal. The rules that decide whether your organisation qualifies as a charity, what it may do once registered, and what the Canada Revenue Agency expects of it every year come from the Income Tax Act and apply the same way in every province. We act on those matters for organisations anywhere in Canada, and regularly do.
Incorporation and corporate governance are different. Those are set by the statute your organisation is incorporated under, whether that is the federal Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act or a provincial act such as Ontario's. Where an organisation outside Ontario needs provincial corporate work, we will say so plainly and help you find the right local counsel.
If your charity or non-profit has not yet transitioned to the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA), doing so is essential to maintaining your legal status. The process involves reviewing your existing letters patent or articles, drafting new articles of amendment, updating your bylaws to meet ONCA governance requirements, and filing with the Ontario government. Barry has guided dozens of organizations through this transition, from small community nonprofits in Peterborough to large national charities, and can help you navigate each step with confidence. Not sure where your organisation stands? An ONCA compliance audit settles the question.
Bussey Ainsworth brings decades of hands-on experience advising charities and non-profit organisations across Canada. The firm understands the legal and regulatory environment governing charitable status, governance, compliance, employment, property, and advocacy, and provides practical guidance tailored to the realities faced by mission-driven organizations.
This practice is led by Barry Bussey, whose professional career and doctoral research have been closely connected to faith-based and religious charities for over 30 years. Barry edited and published The Status of Religion and the Public Benefit in Charity Law (Anthem Press), a work directly on the intersection of religion, public benefit, and charity law. He served for over a decade as Vice President and General Legal Counsel for the Canadian Council of Christian Charities (CCCC), one of the country's leading charity-sector organizations. His advice reflects not only legal precision but a genuine understanding of the operational and governance realities faced by boards, executive directors, and ministry leaders. Barry is also listed as a nonprofit law resource on Community Legal Education Ontario's nonprofit law directory.
Barry's extensive legal scholarship, advocacy work, and experience in constitutional and religious liberty matters provide clients with a thoughtful, principled perspective on complex and often sensitive issues. From governance questions to public policy concerns, Bussey Ainsworth helps organizations navigate legal obligations while remaining faithful to their mission and values.
Charity and non-profit leaders value clarity and accessibility. Bussey Ainsworth is known for its approachable style and commitment to clear communication. Our team delivers legal advice in plain language, with an emphasis on helping clients understand their options, risks, and responsibilities, so they can make informed decisions with confidence.
Many charities and faith-based organizations seek more than one-off legal advice. Bussey Ainsworth works with clients as a long-term legal partner, supporting organizations as they grow, adapt, and respond to changing legal and social environments across the country.
Losing charitable status is more common than boards think, and usually preventable. Barry Bussey on what triggers revocation and how to protect your status.
Read Article →
Thinking of starting a charity? Barry Bussey walks through the real steps, from choosing a structure to CRA registration, in plain language.
Read Article →
ONCA applies to churches, mosques, synagogues, and faith-based charities in Ontario. Barry Bussey explains the unique governance challenges religious organisations face.
Read Article →
ONCA's transition deadline passed in October 2024. If your nonprofit hasn't updated its governing documents, Barry Bussey explains what needs to happen, and why it's simpler than boards think.
Read Article →
As of April 1, 2026, registered charities will no longer be able to submit documents to the CRA by fax. Here is what you need to do to make the switch to online services.
Read Article →We'd love to hear from you. Give us a call or send us a message below. Typically, we pick up the phone. But if we're busy, we'll get back to you within one business day.
“Clear, expert guidance when we were updating our bylaws and ensuring compliance with CRA and ONCA.” Greg Reader, Google review
