The Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce has joined with the Tri-Cities and Ridge Meadows Chambers of Commerce to raise concerns with the Province regarding the application of Provincial Sales Tax (PST) rules on charitable fundraising activities, defending the interests of the over 80 non-profits who are members of the Langley Chamber.

In a joint letter to the Honourable Brenda Bailey, Minister of Finance, the chambers highlighted how current PST requirements on certain fundraising activities—such as auctions and sales of donated goods—are creating unnecessary administrative burdens for charities, reducing net fundraising proceeds, and potentially discouraging community and business donations .

Under current rules, charities may be required to collect and remit PST depending on how the value of a donated item compares to the final bid price. This creates added complexity for organizations that are often volunteer-driven, requiring them to determine fair market value, calculate taxable amounts, collect tax at events, and manage ongoing compliance.

For many non-profits, these requirements divert time and resources away from their core mission—delivering programs and services that support the community.

The chambers are calling on the Province to implement a practical and targeted solution: a formal exemption for registered charities from collecting PST on goods and services sold at fundraising auctions when those items have been donated for that purpose.

Such a change would reduce red tape, support the vital work of charitable organizations, and remove a potential barrier to donations, while having minimal impact on overall provincial revenues.

“Charities play an essential role in our communities, and their ability to fundraise effectively should not be hindered by unnecessary administrative complexity,” said Cory Redekop, CEO of the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce. “This is a practical change that would support both charities and the businesses that contribute to their success.”

The Langley Chamber will continue to advocate on this issue and work with government to ensure policies reflect the realities faced by non-profit organizations and the broader business community.  

Read our letter below: