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Act within your purposes
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Alberta stands fully covered: its own filings and guidance stand in the books beside the federal ones.
A society is formed for the purposes its constitution names, and its money is spent on those purposes.
An Alberta society is incorporated for the purposes the Act names — benevolent, philanthropic, charitable, provident, scientific, artistic, literary, social, educational, agricultural, sporting or other useful purposes, but not trade or business — and its funds and property serve those objects only. Nothing of its property goes to its members while it stands. Binds: Alberta societies (Societies Act, RSA 2000, c S-14).
The law’s own words
“Five or more persons may become incorporated under this Act for any benevolent, philanthropic, charitable, provident, scientific, artistic, literary, social, educational, agricultural, sporting or other useful purpose, but not for the purpose of carrying on a trade or business.”
Societies Act (Alberta), s. 3(1) · Read it at King’s Printer for Alberta · Verified 2026-11-11
“The funds and property of the society shall be used and dealt with for its legitimate objects only and in accordance with its bylaws.”
Societies Act (Alberta), s. 17(2) · Read it at King’s Printer for Alberta · Verified 2026-11-11
“No society shall have a capital divided into shares or declare any dividend or distribute its property among its members during the existence of the society.”
Societies Act (Alberta), s. 4(1) · Read it at King’s Printer for Alberta · Verified 2026-11-11
“The interest of a member in a society is not transferable.”
Societies Act (Alberta), s. 4(2) · Read it at King’s Printer for Alberta · Verified 2026-11-11
“A society may, by special resolution, surrender its certificate of incorporation.”
Societies Act (Alberta), s. 34(1) · Read it at King’s Printer for Alberta · Verified 2026-11-11