Q. How do I find information on non-profit organizations / charities in Canada?

See:

• Canadian Book of Charities
  •    Basic information on charities in Canada ; searchable by subject
• Canadian Government Registered Charities 
  •    Detailed financial information and tax returns of charities
• Association of Fundraising Professionals Online Catalog 
  •    Information and resources for fundraising professionals

Search also Google for the charity name and the word 'annual report'. Annual reports will provide great summaries of the organization. 

For general information about the non-profit sector in Canada, see:

• Charitable Sector Research from Imagine Canada
  •    Research and statistics on the non-profit sector in Canada
• Charity Village
  •    A Canadian portal tothe nonprofit sector.