GFA World Canada sees Ontario court ruling as affirmation of innocence
GFA World Canada has received a favourable ruling by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, dismissing the plaintiff’s motion to certify a class action lawsuit against GFA World Canada and a number of its current and former officers and directors.
The Ontario court denied the plaintiff’s motion to certify the claim as a class action. In doing so, the court found that:
- The plaintiff “failed to show some basis in fact for his allegation that the defendants intentionally misappropriated donor funds in a manner that had no connection to any purported charitable purpose.”
- It was “plain and obvious” that the plaintiff’s claim did not “support the legal conclusion that he suffered a compensable loss”.
- The plaintiff had “not shown that there is some basis in fact that he or other class members suffered a compensable loss.”
- The plaintiff was required to provide “admissible evidence beyond speculation, conjecture, and allegations of wrongdoing” and “he has not done so.”
The ruling comes as the mission continues to maintain that all funds preferenced for the field were sent to their intended destination and used for ministry purposes. A CRA audit, concluded in 2018, also revealed no issues related to the alleged misappropriation of funds.
For the charitable sector in Canada, a different outcome could have resulted in significant vulnerability for similar NGOs.
GFA World Canada would like to thank its supporters for their continued support for our transformative work around the world.
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GFA World (www.gfa.ca) remains committed to serving the “least of these” in Asia and Africa, often in places where no one else is serving, so they can experience the love of God for the first time. GFA World (Formerly: Gospel for Asia) supports national workers serving as the hands and feet of Christ in four main ways. Sponsoring national missionaries to minister to people’s needs, sponsoring children, investing in community development and helping families in need of care or during disasters.