Bill M 240: Transparency of Advocacy Organizations Act

This bill primarily affects non-profit societies, charities, advocacy groups, and any organization (including for-profit entities) operating in British Columbia that engage in public education, advocacy, or lobbying related to 2SLGBTQIA+ issues, Indigenous rights, environmental protection, or harm reduction and poverty issues — and that receive at least $10,000 from provincial, federal, or foreign funding sources. These organizations would need to prepare annual financial disclosure reports within 60 days of each fiscal year end, maintain five years of reports on a public website, display prominent funding-source notices on their website and social media, and disclose affiliate relationships. Even small non-profits with a handful of staff would be affected if they meet the funding threshold, and organizations that financially support such advocacy groups (contributing $10,000 or 10% of their revenue) are also captured. Penalties for non-compliance are severe — up to $10 million for organizations and $750,000 for individual directors or officers — and any BC resident can initiate court enforcement proceedings, creating significant legal exposure.