eFlash! 2026-09-24

2026 GM — General Meeting /
AG 2026 — Assemblée générale

Minutes of the GM / Procès-verbal de l’AG

Attendance / Présence

Present (online) were:

Minutes / Procès-verbal

The meeting began at 17:00 EDT on Wednesday, 24 September 2026. CEC President James Andean chaired the meeting; CEC Secretary Simon Chioini acted as Minutes-Taker.

1. Adoption of the Agenda / Adoption de l’ordre du jour

[17:12] JA presented the Agenda for approval.

[17:12] JA moved to accept the Agenda as is; SC seconded. The Agenda of the CEC’s GM was adopted by general consent.

2. Other Business /Autres points

[17:15] The CEC is considering applying to the Department of Canadian Heritage for designation as a National Arts Service Organization (NASO). If approved, our application would then be forwarded to the Canada Revenue Agency for consideration for status as a Registered NASO (RNASO). This would offer significant potential benefits, primarily allowing the CEC to issue official receipts for gifts or donations received with the same benefits as registered charitable organizations, which in turn provides the donor with a tax credit. This is potentially of enormous value to the CEC, as the SOCAN foundation funding that has allowed us to operate for many years will soon be coming to an end. Any members with questions or views about this proposal are welcome to raise them at this GM.

JA it looks that the application process is very straightforward. We are ready to start if the assembly decides to move forward with this.

BT reiterates he wants to support the organization during this difficult transition out of the SOCAN funding.

This depends on the capacity to receive tax receipts. It would also be a good idea to coordinate an international fundraiser to help the organisation.

Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the organisation (May 10, 1987). It represents a great occasion to celebrate and to design a fundraising campaign around that. Past accomplishments should be summarized (prizes, eContact! issues, concerts, etc.).

Jean-François Denis could be contacted to understand what is going on at SOCAN Foundation.

JA can tell us that we did talk to Jean-François, who is on the board of SOCAN, but not of the SOCAN Foundation.

YG the Foundation is cutting all the funds given to organisations.

JA the Foundation says times are tough, and they don’t want to fund multiple organisations doing the same thing. They suggested we merge with other organisations. But that would only put the CEC in a bad situation in which we would lose our own voice.

RT joins the meeting.

BT reiterates that a serious commitment to fundraising is necessary.

No other discussion, issue or question arises on the issue.

JA proposes to move to a vote: for the CEC to shift to a NASO status and to use that as a trigger for a fundraising campaign.

Passed by unanimous vote (5 vote for the proposition, 0 against). JA, as chair of the meeting, could not vote.

JA there is still no guarantee that the process will work out, but now the Board can move forward with that idea.

3. Adjournment / Levée de l’assemblée

[17:46] The Chair of the GM (JA) suggested to adjourn. The CEC’s 2026 GM was consensually adjourned at 17:47 on Thursday, 24 September 2026.

Minutes for the CEC’s GM submitted by CEC Secretary Simon Chioini on Thursday, 24 September 2026.