As charities advancing religion, we know intuitively the value and importance of these organizations to Canadian society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But a report from a former House of Commons Finance Committee<\/a> shows that not everyone understands or acknowledges the significant place of religious charities in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve detailed the report and its recommendations in a past blog post, CCCC Responds to Troubling Recommendations on Charitable Status<\/a>. In sum, two of the report\u2019s 462 recommendations were particularly concerning:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In our blog post you\u2019ll find the letter we sent to the Ministers <\/a>outlining <\/a>our concerns<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our concerns and letter, as well as others, have been reflected in Christianity Today<\/a>, Canadian Affairs<\/a>, the Catholic Register<\/a>, The B.C. Catholic<\/a>, an interview on 100 Huntley Street<\/a>, and our 2025 pre-budget submissions that call for the government to retract the recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other organizations including The EFC<\/a>, Christian Legal Fellowship<\/a>, Canadian Interfaith Conversation<\/a> (response to CIC<\/a>), similarly called for the government to reject the recommendations and Imagine Canada<\/a> expressed concern about politically motivated interference in the charitable sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Committee\u2019s recommendations are similar to past attempts to politicize charitable status. CCCC has written extensively to the government about politicizing charitable status. Here are just a few:<\/p>\n\n\n\n So what do we make of the recommendations?<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is important to know that these are not binding <\/strong>recommendations. No future government has any duty to implement them. Already Parliament prorogued, another round of pre-budget consultations<\/a> opened and closed, and an election was called. It is also important to note that these recommendations impact the entire charitable sector, <\/strong>not just those directly targeted. Recommendation 429 politicizes charitable status, which, as we have said elsewhere, is a problem for everyone. Likewise, removing the \u201cprivileged status of advancement of religion\u201d means any other charitable purpose can be removed on a whim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still, we understand the Report has left lingering concerns. Rest assured that CCCC is monitoring the issue, working with other national organizations, and will keep you updated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your organization wants to participate by speaking to issues related to your charitable purpose, you can. Since we\u2019re in a federal election, special rules apply to charities that engage in election advocacy<\/a> so you\u2019ll need to be aware of the limits under public policy dialogue and development rules and Elections Act rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our letters provide you with helpful summaries of the issues, consequences, and problems with the various proposals. We also have a one-page reference doc (that\u2019s actually 1.5 pages!) outlining key issues with politicizing charitable status<\/a>. And if you need further guidance in how to make use of all this information, our friends at The EFC have developed an Election 2025 brochure<\/a> that may be helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Issue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Our Response<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
The Context<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ongoing Response<\/h2>\n\n\n\n