Words and Phrases - "political activities"

The Minister revoked charitable registration of the appellant on the basis that its activities of pressuring governments and government members through the sending of letters and postcards with a view to reducing the incidence of "torture" (as broadly defined by the appellant) around the world, were a major activity of the appellant rather than activities that were merely ancillary and incidental to its charitable purposes. In finding that such revocation was correct, Décary J.A. stated (at p. 5405) that the words "political purposes" or "political activities":

"cover any attempt to sway a government or a member of the government or, where there is a democracy, a member of the Parliament in such areas as these organizations or individuals are politically in a position to take action in response to the pressures to which they are subjected."

and also stated (at p. 5405) that such activity:

"is no less political because the cause that is the object or the initiative is popular, or has unanimous support or is endorsed by the existing authorities."