Margaret Rintoul, (LLB 76, B.A. Psychology 73)Q: How long have you been an advisor in this area?
A: Aproximately 25 years.
Q: Do you have experience advising clients who have arranged planned gifts? For how many years?
A: Yes. Approximately 15 years.
Q: Do you have specialized training in gift planning?
A: I have been involved in estate planning generally, which includes gift planning, for most of my career.
Q: What ethical/professional code(s) do you follow in your work?
A: As a lawyer, I am bound by our Code of Professional Conduct as set out by the Law Society of Upper Canada.
Q: Have you made arrangements for a personal planned gift?
A: For clients, yes.
Q: What is your personal philosophy of philanthropy, and gift planning, specifically?
A: I agree with a comment that was made at a conference I attended, to the effect that the tax system is designed to ensure that Canadians will make a contribution to the public at death, either through taxation, or through charitable giving. I believe that charitable giving provides a more controlled environment for donors than paying taxes to the general coffers. That said, I do not believe that any charitable giving makes sense philosophically unless it is to a cause that matters to the donor. Ideally, philanthropy should entail goals of the donor that are realistic, and meet with the goals of the recipient, while achieving tax benefits to the extent they are possible.
Q: How are you involved in your community?
A: My community involvement within the legal community is primarily through the Ontario Bar Association and the Canadian Bar Association. Outside of the professional sector, I am involved in community organizations in my neighbourhood.
Q: Are you a member of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners – locally and/or nationally? If so, for how long?
A: No, although it is a possibility. I would like more information about the organization.
