Canada Revenue Agency
Symbol of the Government of Canada

Summary Policy

Date
September 3, 2003

Reference Number
CSP - A21

Key Words
Amalgamation - Merger - Consolidation

Policy Statement

Two or more registered charities can join together as one body in response to changing circumstances or changed objectives. They can do so through an amalgamation, merger or consolidation.

  • When charities amalgamate, they bring their memberships, assets and liabilities into the entity that emerges. The original charities do not cease to exist or dissolve. While they no longer have separate identities, they continue their existence within a single entity - the amalgamated charity.

  • In a merger, one entity winds up its affairs and transfers its assets to another registered charity.

  • In a consolidation, all the original bodies dissolve and transfer their assets to a new entity.

References