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14 May 2018
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For over 50 years, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada has been a strong and positive evangelical voice in the public square.
 
We work tirelessly to promote the application of biblical truths – before the governments who shape our laws and before the courts who scrutinize them. We seek to be a positive influence for the good of all Canadians on important issues of life and faith to reflect our belief that we were all created in the image of God and the biblical injunctions to promote justice and righteousness.
 
At no time in the history of the EFC have we been so active in our various spheres of influence. With the joy that comes from the privilege of being called to impact our culture for Christ comes the sobering reality of the task ahead. Here are three areas we’re currently engaged in.
 
Protecting the Vulnerable

When doctor-assisted suicide and euthanasia was legalized two years ago, access to medical assistance in dying (MAID) was restricted only to competent, consenting adults whose deaths are reasonably foreseeable and who are in advanced states of irreversible decline. These restrictions serve to minimize the abuse and misuse of MAID.
 
However, various groups are currently seeking to remove these restrictions. They want doctor-assisted suicide to be accessible to any person who is suffering from a chronic and untreatable condition even if they are not approaching end of life. This would expose many individuals to serious vulnerabilities. In moments of weakness, people who feel they may be a burden to others may consider or be coerced into ending their lives even though death is not imminent. The EFC will make every effort to ensure that the restrictions remain as tight as possible to minimize harm and risk to the sick and vulnerable.
 
The government is also now addressing the issues of requests for assisted dying by mature minors, advance requests, and requests where mental illness is the sole underlying medical condition. There are serious concerns regarding the capacity of these individuals to give consent. The EFC is preparing to advocate for the highest standards in our laws to uphold the sanctity of life and to protect vulnerable Canadians from premature deaths.
 
Protecting Conscience Rights

Will medical practitioners who are opposed to legalized forms of suicide and homicide be forced to participate? The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario introduced a policy that requires doctors who oppose medical services like MAID or abortion to provide effective referrals for patients who request them. Many physicians in Canada believe that providing direct referrals is no different morally and ethically than committing the acts themselves.
 
The EFC was one of the intervenors in support of the Christian Medical and Dental Society (CMDS), five doctors and two other physician groups when they challenged this policy in court. We were disappointed when the Ontario Divisional Court ruled that medical practitioners be denied their freedom of conscience or religion. In other words, when it comes to participating in procedures that violate their religious or moral beliefs, practitioners must compromise their convictions or risk losing their jobs. The EFC plans to intervene when this decision is appealed.
 
This ruling could also impact conscience protection for faith-based hospitals, nursing homes and hospices. Will the government compel such facilities to facilitate or allow abortion or MAID on their premises?
 
Protecting from Religious Discrimination

The Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program is a federal program that is funded by our tax dollars. In previous years, CSJ grants had allowed many Christian organizations to hire students for summer jobs. This year, eligibility for the grant was contingent upon the organization’s willingness to check a box to attest that the group’s core mandate aligns with the government’s stance on issues like abortion and sexual morality. Some Christian organizations simply chose not to apply for the grants. Others applied but asked for religious accommodation to be exempt from checking the box. These applications were denied.
 
The EFC, along with other Christian and interfaith groups, is concerned that imposing a “values” test to determine eligibility for public benefits violates the very rights the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is designed to protect. Public funds should not be withheld from law-abiding organizations just because they do not wish to affirm certain government ideologies. The EFC is working with a team of lawyers to challenge the attestation in court under Sections 2a and b of the Charter.
 
Court interventions are expensive and require significant resources. But when the stakes are high and the issues are of major concern to religious freedom and the sanctity of human life, we can’t not get involved.
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We need to build up our financial reserves now! Your donation at this time will help us start the new fiscal year strong and enable us to tackle the issues that are of pressing concern to many Evangelicals across Canada. The power to effect change is in your hands. Will you donate to the EFC today?


Sincerely,
Bruce Clemenger
President


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