Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Digital publication fights CRA finding that it does not produce 'original news'

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Jul, 2023 12:37 PM
  • Digital publication fights CRA finding that it does not produce 'original news'

A digital publication is asking the Federal Court to review a decision by the Canada Revenue Agency that prevents it from accessing incentives for journalism.

The Academic Journalism Society, which runs The Conversation Canada, is seeking a judicial review of the agency's decision after an advisory board found it did not engage in the production of original news content.

In a court filing submitted last week, the publication rejects the agency's conclusion that it's not a qualified Canadian journalism organization — a designation that allows it to claim a journalism tax credit. 

"We were just a bit surprised," said Scott White, The Conversation Canada's CEO and editor in chief.

"We actually thought it should have been a bit of a no-brainer."

The Academic Journalism Society said its authors conduct firsthand reporting through independent research. 

The claim said The Conversation's authors are academics who collaborate with editors to provide evidence-based explanatory journalism on news and current affairs. 

"The expertise of academia and journalism is combined into explanatory journalism and expert analysis," White said. 

"'Knowledge mobilization' is what academics call it, to get the academic expertise out into the general public to help people have more informed opinions."

Lawyers representing the Academic Journalism Society declined to comment because the matter is before the courts. 

The Canada Revenue Agency didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The federal government has yet to file its defence.

The Academic Journalism Society first applied for the "qualified Canadian journalism organization" designation in December 2020, but was denied in March 2022 by the Independent Advisory Board on Eligibility for Journalism Tax Measures. 

As part of its findings, the board said "there was little evidence that the applicant engaged in independent journalism or that it reported on current events."

It's a claim the digital publication disagreed with, and it now wants Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier to quash the agency's decision.

The CRA confirmed that the applicant otherwise satisfied all other requirements for the journalism designation contained in the act, the claim said. 

The applicant asked the CRA to reconsider in May and it provided more information "in support of its position it engages in the production of original news content."

The CRA concluded its position in June, while the publication seeks a review of the final decision. 

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Provincial climate action tax credit being distributed

Provincial climate action tax credit being distributed
The finance ministry says payments are set to arrive in the bank accounts of more than two million people after the province increased credit payments to help offset inflation.   

Provincial climate action tax credit being distributed

City councillor in Merritt, B.C., struck and killed in apparent hit-and-run: mayor

City councillor in Merritt, B.C., struck and killed in apparent hit-and-run: mayor
The mayor of Merritt, B.C., says a city councillor has been killed in an apparent hit-and-run crash outside another community. Mayor Michael Goetz says he understands Coun. Claire Newman had been on her way to meet her husband ahead of a planned trip to Alaska to visit an ailing friend.

City councillor in Merritt, B.C., struck and killed in apparent hit-and-run: mayor

RCMP officer says he forgot to record B.C. murder suspect's arrest after car crash

RCMP officer says he forgot to record B.C. murder suspect's arrest after car crash
The police officer who arrested a man accused of murdering a 13-year-old girl found dead in a Burnaby, B.C., park six years ago says no recording of the arrest exists because he forgot to switch on his recorder when a police car crashed into another vehicle at the scene. 

RCMP officer says he forgot to record B.C. murder suspect's arrest after car crash

Police warning of scammers posing as Calgary officers to steal thousands of dollars

Police warning of scammers posing as Calgary officers to steal thousands of dollars
Calgary police say people can verify an officer’s identity by requesting to see a badge, as well as a badge number and a photo ID card. People can also call the police non-emergency number to verify an officer’s identity.

Police warning of scammers posing as Calgary officers to steal thousands of dollars

Strong home sales continue for Vancouver

Strong home sales continue for Vancouver
The board says that's up 1.3 per cent in a single month -- although it's still more than two per cent below the benchmark price set one year ago. Overall, the board says the housing market "continues to outperform expectations," -- with the apartment or condo market eclipsing slightly slower sales in the townhouse and detached home sectors.

Strong home sales continue for Vancouver

Updated legislation aims to tackle discrimination in public service: PSC

Updated legislation aims to tackle discrimination in public service: PSC
The Public Service Commission will also have more resources to investigate mistakes or misconduct that affect their hiring processes. Previously amendments took affect that revised the job qualifications for members of equity-seeking groups and ensured permanent residents were given the same hiring preferences as Canadian citizens.

Updated legislation aims to tackle discrimination in public service: PSC