Dear Friend,
In a free and democratic society, everyone should have the right to speak out and express ideas that others may disagree with. Freedom of expression is vital to an open, vibrant and diverse society.
In a free and democratic society, the government should treat everyone with equal dignity and respect, and not discriminate on the basis of religion or conscience, or of thought, belief, opinion and expression.
In a free and democratic society, everyone should be free to disagree with a government’s policies and values without fear of unfair treatment. Eligibility for government programs or benefits should not be contingent on one’s affirmation or agreement with the ruling government’s values. Imposing such values tests violates the very rights the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is designed to protect.
As Canadians, we cherish our free and democratic society. But wait…
The government has just enacted a new requirement on a federal grants program that will unfairly impact many organizations. Organizations unable or unwilling to attest to a statement of principles and values in whole or in part because of their religious or conscientiously-held convictions will be deemed ineligible for the grant.
I am referring to the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program, a federal program that is funded by our tax dollars. CSJ grants allow organizations to create summer jobs expressly for students.
Hundreds of Christian churches, ministries and camps rely on this fund each year to help pay for the jobs they offer each summer – engaging students in meaningful work experiences and providing opportunities for leadership development while doing good work to benefit individuals and communities across Canada, regardless of the benefactors’ beliefs. These may include caring for the elderly, assisting refugees and immigrants, feeding the hungry, or organizing and running children and youth programs.
Now these organizations may no longer qualify for funding because of the new requirement.
From now on, employers wishing to apply for the CSJ grant must check a box to attest that:
“Both the job and my organization’s core mandate respect individual human rights in Canada, including the values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom as well as other rights. These include reproductive rights and the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, race national or ethnic origin, colour, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.”
As Christians, respecting the dignity of all and, by extension, respecting basic human rights, is a natural manifestation of our faith – we are to show love, respect, mercy and compassion to others. It’s ironic that the very religious convictions that inspire so many Christians to reach out and help their neighbours are the same convictions that will disqualify them for CSJ funding.
Note that the “values” and “other rights” that organization are to respect have not been clearly identified or defined. We are concerned that organizations that require staff to affirm the Christian faith and related moral codes (around sexual morality, for example) would be in violation of the attestation. As for respecting “reproductive rights,” organizations that oppose abortion have already been told they need not apply.
A government should never compel organizations, Christian or otherwise, to compromise their religious or conscientiously-held convictions in order to receive public funds. What’s next? Will there be values tests for accreditation or other government benefits (for example, charitable status or matching funds)?
Ever since the CSJ guidelines came out in December, the EFC has been working diligently with other Christian and interfaith partners. The EFC sent a letter to the Employment Minister, expressing dismay at how the guidelines violate fundamental Charter of Rights and Freedom guarantees – namely, the freedoms of conscience, religion, thought, belief, opinion, expression and association. If the government does not amend the CSJ application process to respect these freedoms, the EFC may challenge the policy in court.
The EFC has also developed numerous resources (sample letters, videos, FAQs, updates, webinars, etc.) to help equip and mobilize Evangelicals to respond by praying and by contacting their local MPs (see www.TheEFC.ca/SummerJobsGrants). And at our invitation, hundreds of churches, ministry organizations and businesses have contacted us to express their concerns.
Our concerted actions make a difference. Last fall, when Bill 51 threatened to remove explicit protection for churches and pastors, the EFC and many of you spoke out. The government responded by amending its plans.
We need your help. Please pray for religious freedom in Canada to be protected and respected, for EFC affiliates to be able to continue to work for the good of our society without hindrance, and for God to be glorified. And please consider making a financial gift today in support of the EFC’s work in defending our religious freedoms. Your support is crucial to our success!
Let the words of my mouth…be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord
Psalm 19:14
Sincerely,
Bruce Clemenger
President