Canadian Tamil foundation loses charity status

Wednesday, 14 December 2011 01:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Canadian federal government revoked a Toronto-area Tamil foundation’s charitable status over the weekend, saying it provided financial support for groups that are part of the support network for the LTTE.

According to a Canada Revenue Agency audit, the Canadian Foundation for Tamil Refugee Rehabilitation (CAFTARR) provided more than $700,000 to organizations outside Canada that were “non-qualified donees”, Canadian media reported.

The CRA served notice of the revocation, effective Dec. 10, last month. It first warned of potential revocation in November 2009, after conducting an audit of the foundation’s activity from June 2004 to May 2008.

The foundation provided $620,000 in tsunami relief money to the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) in May 2005 and January 2006, and $113,930 to the Ramakrishna Mission of Sri Lanka from February 2005 to June 2007, according to the audit. The donations made up 81 per cent of the foundation’s total revenue during the period reviewed.In a letter to the foundation’s lawyer, the CRA said it believes “on the basis of publicly available information” that both the TRO and the Mission are part of the Tamil Tigers’ support network.Canada listed LTTE as a terrorist organization in 2006.The CRA also says the organization failed to maintain adequate books and records and improperly issued tax receipts on behalf of a third party. The revocation means the group is no longer exempt from income tax and can no longer issue donation tax receipts.

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