We’ve heard so many encouraging stories recently of Christians reaching out to meet the needs of their neighbours. What a joy and privilege to have been able to help equip them along the way!
For example, one group that contacted us draws from several churches in a small town. They’re organizing to provide practical help for their neighbours, underlining the value of their neighbours’ lives so they won’t seek MAiD because of a lack of options.
Another contact was from a small group forming within a church to focus on advocacy, to explore how they can seek the good of the country and love of neighbour through civic engagement, based on the biblical principles of justice and love.
A group of pastors in a big city also contacted us looking for accurate information on what’s happening with proposed legislation so they can inform their congregations and encourage constructive responses.
EFC staff have been able to provide constructive, accurate resources to equip churches and Christians as they seek to respond to the needs and issues they see.
“One of the ways that we love our neighbour is by seeking good laws,” says Julia Beazley, EFC director of public policy. “It matters which laws and policies get put in place – they affect our communities and our neighbours in vulnerable circumstances.”
One of our most popular resources this year has been on the proposed hate crimes bill, Bill C-9 – a two-page summary on what the bill proposes, why we’re concerned and how to communicate with MPs about it. It outlines central concerns related to religious expression with a practical emphasis on how to respond.
Other resources at TheEFC.ca/C-9 include an EFC submission to a parliamentary committee with recommendations on ways to improve the bill. Plus an overview of the religious belief defence – what it is, when it’s used and why it matters.
The EFC has also delivered briefings to church groups and EFC affiliates on Bill C-9, equipping Christian leaders with context, up-to-date information and constructive Christian response options.
Another top resource this year explains our call to cancel the expansion of MAiD to those with mental illness alone. This expansion was legalized in 2021 and has been delayed twice. If nothing happens, people with mental illness as their sole medical condition will become eligible for MAiD in March 2027. Bill C-218 would stop that expansion.
Our one-page summary outlines Bill C-218, why it’s needed, how to find your MP and what you might say. This concise resource is practical, action-focused and draws from the EFC’s more substantive research and submissions on MAiD.
“A big surprise this year has been an EFC brochure on MAiD going viral,” says Beazley. “Through what I affectionately call ‘brochure-gate,’ it’s obvious many Canadians aren’t aware a law has already been passed to expand MAiD for mental illness.”
While there are inaccurate comments and posts about the brochure circulating on social media, it is serving to raise awareness about MAiD expansion. The EFC’s website has links to the sources used in making the brochure and unpacks the status of MAiD expansion.
Those looking for resources on how to communicate effectively with their MP and how to pray for them are finding helpful tips, direction and language at TheEFC.ca/CivicEngagementKit. This download walks through how to contact an MP, why tone is so important, and outlines the stages a bill goes through and when there are opportunities to engage on it. A version in French is also available.
We are ambassadors of Christ as we engage with our neighbours and civic leaders. The EFC is privileged to provide constructive responses and resources to inform and equip public engagement on key issues. We’re grateful to all our supporters who make this possible!
What you can do
- Pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1–2) and that God would help Canadian Christians love our neighbours well
- Check out resources on the hate crimes bill (TheEFC.ca/C-9), on stopping MAiD for mental illness (TheEFC.ca/HaltMAiD) and on civic engagement (TheEFC.ca/CivicEngagementKit)
- Consider prayer and financial support for the work of the EFC.
Also in this issue: Social media surveys close April 30, Celebrating Black History Month, Can Christian hospitals choose to be MAiD-free? A note from EFC President David Guretzki.