Bill to delay MAiD for mental illness becomes law
A bill to delay MAiD for mental illness for 3 years became law on Feb. 29. This bill also requires a parliamentary committee be set up within two years to study the eligibility of those whose sole medical condition is mental illness to receive MAiD.
The work is not finished, but we are thankful Bill C-62 has passed. While this is not the complete stop we believe should happen, this delay means people in vulnerable moments will be better protected for longer and slows the rapid expansion of MAiD. We thank all of you who prayed, contacted your MPs, and encouraged your network to engage. We’re so grateful for your partnership and prayers.
EFC studying online harms bill
The government tabled the Online Harms Act on Feb. 26. The EFC is studying this lengthy and complex bill carefully. It addresses online content such as sexual abuse images, intimate images published without consent, and online hate. The EFC will be developing a summary and resources for engaging with the bill.
EFC policy director discusses MAiD on Mike Sherbino show
EFC Director of Public Policy Julia Beazley recently discussed medical assistance in dying and its implications for Canada’s national identity on The Perspective with Mike Sherbino. Watch the full episode.
Join survey on Christian experience of COVID-19
Researchers at the University of Montreal are looking for Christians to participate in RECOV-19, an international study about how Christians experienced COVID-19 restrictions. To share your views to this anonymous, 15- to 20-minute survey, visit this link.
Praying for Muslims this Ramadan
The Muslim holy month, which this year is March 10-April 9, is a season of prayer and fasting. Christians can also set aside this season to pray specifically for our Muslim neighbours, writes Cristina Vieira Boersma in the latest post at FaithToday.ca.
EFC senior ambassador preaching on religious freedom
EFC Senior Ambassador Bruce J. Clemenger will be preaching on religious freedom at Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church in Arnprior on Sunday, Mar. 17.
Nova Scotia’s groundbreaking Black church association
In 1854 Rev. Richard Preston brought together 12 Black congregations to form what is now the African United Baptist Association, the first known Black organization in Nova Scotia. Read more in our latest column at FaithToday.ca/HistoryLesson.
→ Documentary: The Story of Euthanasia (Trinitas Film), online free film screening, Mar. 5-Mar. 22
→ Canadian Youth Pastor Summit East (CCLN and YWC), Mississauga, Mar. 5-7
→ Laing Lectures: Christian Racial Reconciliation (Regent College), Vancouver, Mar. 5-7
→ The Duty and the Danger of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (The King’s University), Edmonton, Mar. 5
→ Applying Violence and Harassment Legislation (Kentro Christian Network), online, Mar. 5
→ Ontario Prayer Breakfast, Toronto, Mar. 7
→ Understanding Abuse (MCC), Abbotsford, Mar. 8-10
→ Awesome KidMin Conference (AKM), Winnipeg, Mar. 8-9
→ Co-creating Plausible Futures for the Canadian Church (NLN), online, Mar. 9
→ Teens Conference (AFC), Toronto, Mar. 11-12 (Gr. 7-9), Mar. 13-14 (Gr. 9-12)
→ Inspire Youth Conference (Shawn Naylor/Inspire Our Nation), Saskatoon, Mar. 15-16
→ Together for the Armenians of Artsakh Concert (Armenian Missionary Ass’n of Canada), Montreal, Mar. 15
→ Intro to Circles and the Cross Book (Loren Wilkinson/CSCA/Regent College), Montreal, Mar. 15; Ottawa, Mar. 19; Toronto, Mar. 23