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April 2, 2019

02 April 2019

The EFC Considers Quebec’s Bill 21 a Violation of Religious Freedom  

The EFC is dismayed the Government of Quebec has introduced Bill 21,  An Act respecting the laicity of the State, that prohibits government employees in a position of authority  from wearing religious symbols. Read the EFC’s full statement on Bill 21. Aussi disponible en français. 

The EFC’s Rick Hiemstra in Eastern Ontario 

This weekend Rick will speak on Renegotiating Faith (recent research on the faith of young adults in transition) at the Met in Ottawa. He will also speak at a ministerial in Athens, Ont. More details on both events at TheEFC.ca/Calendar.  

National Interfaith Conference Coming to Toronto 

On April 28-30, 2019, the fourth  “Our Whole Society” conference  will take place in Toronto, the latest in a series organized by the Canadian Interfaith Conversation, of which the EFC is a founding member. Over the past few years these conferences have fostered a new dialogue about the changing role of religion in a pluralistic Canadian society. The upcoming conference will explore three themes: Rethinking Identity; Addressing Extremism and Polarization; and Technology, Values and Society. Besides panel discussions, there will be keynote presentations by Dr. Solange Lefebvre (Research Chair in Religion, Culture, and Society at the University of Montreal), the Hon. Bob Rae (former premier of Ontario, Canada’s special envoy to Myanmar, senior fellow at the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights) and Dr. Michael Ruse (professor emeritus at the University of Guelph, professor of philosophy at Florida State University). Their website is currently accepting registrations. 

Support Freedom of Conscience Bill

Private member’s Bill C-418 will be up for debate in the House of Commons soon. This bill would protect health care workers from being compelled to participate in Medical Assistance in Dying. Let your MP know that freedom of conscience is important to you and ask your MP to support Bill C-418. See a sample letter and the EFC’s letter of support at TheEFC.ca/c418.  

EFC Job Opportunity in British Columbia 

The EFC is  now accepting applications for a paid casual (part-time) position as EFC Ambassador in British Columbia. Ambassadors represent the EFC through public speaking, presentations and participation at gatherings such as ministerials. See detailed job description and how to apply at TheEFC.ca/Jobs

Five Reviews from Mar/Apr 2019  

Did you know that Faith Today reviews books and music in each issue? In the latest Faith Today, we review five books: The Tao of Right and Wrong: Rediscovering Humanity’s Moral Foundations by Dennis Danielson; Ampersand: Poems by D. S. Martin; Wherever I Go by Dan Bremnes; A Sinking Star by Chrissy M. Dennis; and Warlight: A Novel, by Michael Ondaatje. See all the reviews online, along with this issue’s Canadian Creatives spotlight on the art of Rosalie Olson. 

Coming Events at TheEFC.ca/Calendar  

Publicize  your event for free.   
→ City Movement “Insights to Impact” Conferences, Brampton, Apr 2; Vancouver, Apr. 3; Langley, Apr. 4; Moncton, Apr. 9; Halifax, Apr. 10; St. John’s, Apr. 11 
→ Promise Keepers Men’s Conference “Disruptive”, La Salle, Ont., Apr. 6  
→ Emerging Adulthood: EFC Researcher in Ottawa, Apr. 5; Athens, Ont., Apr. 6.
→ Blown Away Children and Family Ministry Leadership Conference, Burlington, Apr. 5-6 
→ Ottawa Christian Writers’ Fellowship conference, Apr. 6 
→ Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Equipping Conference, Coquitlam, Apr. 6 
→ Presbyterian Renewal Day Conference, Scarborough, Apr. 6 
→ Women’s Ministries Institute Introduction Day, Cambridge, Apr. 6 
→ Abbotsford Prayer Breakfast, Apr. 10 
→ Unstoppable: Advance through Adversity, Women Together webinar, Apr. 10 
→ The Nones: An Evolving Story of Secularity in Canada, Hamilton, Apr. 12 
→ Christian Café Night, Hamilton, Apr. 12 
→ ReBoot Youth Conference, Ajax, Apr. 12 
→ Ontario Prayer Breakfast, Toronto, Apr. 15 

In Case You Missed It  

Explaining Christian jargon (Faith Today column)