UK Charity Commission new public benefit research

Here is a recent report entitled “The impact of the public benefit requirement in the Charities Act 2006: perceptions, knowledge and experience”.  It has been interesting to watch the public benefit discussion in the UK.  It would not be a shock to me if in the next 5-10 years that the Canadian Department of Finance decides that there should no longer be a presumption of public benefit for Canadian registered charities and that registered charities should be able to demonstrate their public benefit.  Currently there is a presumption (which is rebuttable) in Canada that with the first three heads of charity, there is a public benefit (ie. charities involved with relief of poverty, advancement of religion and advancement of education).  Only charities whose objects are under the 4th head of charity, which deals with other purposes that are beneficial to the public and that are recognized by law as being charitable need to demonstrate public benefit.