A new Canadian Armed Forces
policy,
Spiritual reflections in a miliary setting, forbids military chaplains from praying or referring to God or the divine in spiritual reflections.
The policy applies to chaplains when speaking at government sponsored events or where members of the Canadian Armed Forces are expected or required to attend. It also applies when they are speaking publicly in their capacity as CAF members, including at Remembrance Day ceremonies.
The new policy does not affect a chaplain’s ability to hold religious services in base chapels or spaces set aside for religious services. Prayers can still be offered at military funerals. They can still provide pastoral care to Canadian Armed Forces personnel and their families.
The EFC is concerned that these religious leaders are prohibited from even referring to God when they are functioning publicly. The EFC is asking for a more inclusive policy that accommodates the diverse beliefs of Canadians, including those who believe in God.
Ask your Member of Parliament to remove this policy and replace it with one that is more inclusive.
How to reach your MP
- On the website ourcommons.ca/members go to Find Members of Parliament
- Enter your postal code, then click on your MP's name
- Look under the Contact tab for their phone number and email address
- Letters and petitions may be sent postage-free to your MP at the following address:
[ Name of Member of Parliament, MP ]
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Contact your MP in more than one way for even greater impact, for example, by calling
and writing. Even a voicemail message left at your MP’s office has an impact.
Sample email or letter
Dear MP ______,
Thank you for serving our community.
I’m writing because I’m really concerned by the new policy on spiritual reflections in military settings.
This new policy forbids military chaplains from praying or even mentioning God in public spiritual reflections, including Remembrance Day ceremonies.
This isn’t neutral. Instead of making room for those who don’t believe in the transcendent, it excludes those who do.
A more inclusive approach would allow prayer and spiritual reflection to be offered by chaplains from various spiritual and faith traditions. They could acknowledge that members of the audience hold diverse beliefs – both religious and non-religious – before offering the prayer or reflection.
Please work towards having this policy removed and replaced by one that makes room for all Canadians, including those who believe in God. This is the best way to support the spiritual health of Armed Forces members.
Sincerely,
[ Your Name ]
[ Your Postal Code ]
Related resources
- EFC letter to the Defence Minister on the spiritual reflections policy (Aug. 28, 2026)
- EFC blog, A secularist gag order: Preventing chaplains from talking God at public events (Aug. 7, 2026)