Alberta Societies Act vs the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act

Non-profits and charities in Alberta have a few options for legislation to incorporate under, the most prominent of which are the Societies Act (Alberta) and the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (Canada).

Tip: If you aren’t certain whether to incorporate your charity or non-profit organization start with our article: Should We Incorporate? Not-For-Profit Corporations vs Unincorporated Associations; and if you aren’t clear on the difference between a charity and a non-profit organization, we have an article for that too: Difference Between Charities and Non-Profit Organizations

The table below highlights some of the differences between these two pieces of legislation today:

Other options for incorporating a non-profit organization or charity in Alberta include:

• Companies Act (Alberta) (under Part 9);

• Religious Societies Land Act (Alberta);

• Cooperative Associations Act (Alberta);

• Agricultural Societies Act (Alberta); and

• in special cases, incorporation through private legislation.

OL Comment: There are very few lawyers familiar with the acts listed above, and we strongly recommend speaking with experienced counsel before incorporating under any one of them.

Conclusion

If you have questions about selecting the right corporate legislation for your charity or non-profit organization, reach out to one of the lawyers in Outsiders Law’s Charity & Non-Profit Group.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. Nothing contained herein should be considered as legal, professional, or tax advice. Please contact us directly if you require legal assistance.