Time is running out. Our most precious lands in southern Ontario are under threat. Some predict we are too late; some say we have only a very few years to secure essential lands required to keep our lands and wildlife healthy in perpetuity. We believe we have a chance - with your help.

How you can help conserve land in Ontario forever:

- Join your local land trust today.
- Make a donation to your local land trust.
- Add a Bequest to your will
- Advocate for land conservation in your municipality.
- Learn about the benefits of community-based land trusts for the protection of local land and share your knowledge widely.
Member Services  


Public Policy
 
Participation in the policy development process is a means, not an end in itself.

OLTA works to ensure the issue of land conservation is understood to be a high priority that affects everyone in the province at all times. OLTA works to save the land we love.

OLTA is working towards significant social change that can only be achieved through good public policy;

 
“the broad framework of ideas and values within which decisions are taken and action, or inaction, is pursued by governments in relation to some issue or problem.” 
                                                                    -Stephen Brooks in Public Policy in Canada
 
OLTA Government Relations Committee Mandate
 
The OLTA Government Relations Committee’s goal is to identify, promote and advance the adopted policies of OLTA to governments and agencies. In order to accomplish this, the committee considers and recommends policies to the OLTA Board for review, consideration and adoption.

The overall goals of OLTA’s policy positions are:
  • to materially assist OLTA members in securing land of value to the environment and our communities
  • to remove impediments for the donation of land by donors to land trusts;
  • to enhance the capacity and reduce the costs for Ontario’s land trusts to steward their conservation lands; and
  • to increase the awareness of OLTA such that we are regularly consulted and have influence on government initiatives and policies.

OLTA works to preserve and expand Tax Incentive Programs

In order to help Canada's landowners and conservation groups preserve Canada's natural heritage, the Government of Canada has eliminated the tax on capital gains for all certified ecological gift donations made on or after May 2, 2006 by reducing the inclusion rate to zero.

Ecogifts Program

Environment Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program enables owners of property with sensitive natural features to preserve wildlife habitat. Donations of fee simple title and partial interests, including conservation easements, are eligible. And, in many scenarios the landowner can continue to hold title and/or live on the land.
 
Gift recipients include land trusts and other conservation charities, and government agencies chosen by donors and approved by the federal government. Donors of ecogifts receive a donation receipt for the fair market value of the gift.
Ecogift tax advantages include:
  • eliminated taxable capital gain on the disposition of the property
  • no income limit for calculating the tax credit/deduction
  • donation value certified by the Government of Canada
  • tax liability for donees that do not protect the gifted land
  • Individuals or corporations can create a legacy and contribute to Canada’s rich biodiversity.
Explore the Environment Canada Eco-Gift site to learn if an ecogift is a good option for you or your clients to protect nature.

Split-Receipting
 
In December, 2002, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) released Proposed Guidelines on Split-Receipting (Income Tax Technical News No. 26; www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ *). These guidelines related to proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act. Basically, donors can now receive an advantage (such as cash) and a donation receipt for the difference between the value of the property and the advantage received. Recipients and donors should refer to their legal advisors and the draft guidelines on the CRA Web site for details and restrictions. Also see Confirmation that Ecogifts are Eligible for Split-Receipting.
 
 
Liability Insurance

Ontario Land Trust Alliance Members are encouraged to seek their own qualified advice to ensure the coverage they choose for their charity is suited to their unique land holdings and programs.

OLTA has done a preliminary screening of the following insurance coverage packages. These packages both include a basic program that consists of general liability insurance, non-owned and hired auto liability, and property coverage. Both also offer Directors and Officers Liability Coverages.

Additionally, both companies also offer umbrella coverage that provides an added layer of protection against liability, Worker's Compensation/Employer's Liability and Volunteer Workers Accident coverage.

Both programs are ideally suited to land trusts and are available at very competitive prices.

For information about these coverages, please contact them directly:
 
Bob Maynard
Executive Vice-President
Atrens-Counsel Insurance Brokers Inc.
7145 West credit Avenue, Bldg 3, Suite 201
Mississauga, Ontario
L5N 6J7
(905) 567-6222
F: 905-567-6226
www.atrens-counsel.com
Aviva

LMS Prolink Limited
480 University Ave. Suite 800
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1V2
Phone: 416-644-7703
Fax: 416-595-1649
www.lms.ca
Lombard Canada
 
Business Members Directory
It is only by working together that we will succeed in saving the land we love for future generations. We invite you to join OLTA as a Business Member.

OLTA is inviting lawyers, appraisers, biologists, facilitators, speakers, workshop leaders, consultants, advisors, and other professionals with skills valuable to land trusts and conservancies to join OLTA as business members.

The Ontario Land Trust Alliance thanks all of those organizations who have joined us as Business Members. As a membership benefit, we provide an online directory with their information. The Ontario Land Trust Alliance does not endorse the products or services of our Business Members.

Accounting and Tax Assistance:
Communication and Fundraising Assistance:
Land Trust Formation:
Legal Assistance:
Mapping:
Monitoring and Baseline Inventory Consulting
Real Estate Appraisal and Consulting Services:
Strategic Planning, Board Development, Meeting Facilitation:
Surveyors:
Writing and Photography:
 
 

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American Friends of Canadian Land Trusts
 
A new organization has been created to support Canadian land trusts and their conservation efforts across Canada through cross-border conservation. The American Friends of Canadian Land Trusts was conceived through the work of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust's cross-border conservation initiative.

Effectively December 4, 2007, U.S. residents may make cash donations to AFoCLT. The donor may make a recommendation of a grant toward the Canadian land trust or government entity of their choice.

For more information, please go to the Nova Scotia Nature Trust Website