EFC Update Newsletter Nov. 12

EFC in Supreme Court in support of prostitution laws today, tomorrow

The EFC and ARPA Canada are co-intervening today and tomorrow in support of Canada’s prostitution laws at the Supreme Court of Canada.  

Canada’s current prostitution laws are based on the premise that prostitution is inherently exploitative. In the Kloubakov case, two men convicted under the prostitution laws are challenging the constitutionality of two of the provisions. Please pray for the hearing and the lawyers representing the EFC and our partners. Pray for the judges to be open to hear and wise as they weigh the arguments.  

Listen to EFC Director of Public Policy Julia Beazley share more about the case.

You can also read more about the Kloubakov case and why it is so important to stand up for vulnerable women and children in the latest Faith Today column by EFC Senior Ambassador Bruce J. Clemenger.

EFC gains intervener status in religious freedom case 

The EFC has been granted intervener status along with the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities (CCCC) and the Réseau Évangélique du Québec (REQ) in a case before a Quebec court. A faith-based organization had rented a public venue in Quebec to hold a conference. A Quebec cabinet minister cancelled the rental agreement weeks before the event because of the religious pro-life beliefs of the organization. 

Requiring porn platforms to verify and age consent 

The EFC has asked the Justice Committee to support Bill C-270, which would require pornography platforms to verify the age and consent of each person depicted before images are posted online. The EFC’s brief outlines the scope of the problem, its impact and the need for this bill.  

Government uses misleading language about pregnancy care centres 

Federal cabinet ministers used language depicting pregnancy care centres as deceptive in recent news conference announcing measures for charities providing pregnancy options counselling. The EFC is concerned about the mischaracterization and targeting of pregnancy care centres, as well as the politicization of charities. Read more about the context here.  

Coming Events at TheEFC.ca/Calendar

• North Korea Never Abandoned (Open Doors) Moncton. Nov. 12

• Project Design and MEAL (Kentro), online, Nov. 12-13 

• Protecting Kids and Youth online (Defend Dignity/EFC), Nov. 12 and 26  

• Entrepreneurial Leader Organization Forum (ELO), Vancouver, Nov. 13  

• Carters Annual Charity & Not-for-Profit Law Webinar, online, Nov. 14  

• Ignite Prayer Canada Presentation (EFC), online, Nov. 14 

• Youthworker Conference (YWC), Moncton, Nov. 15-16 

• Heart for Asia Vancouver (OMF International), Vancouver, Nov. 16  

• Hold Me Tight Couples Weekend Workshop (Shalem), Ancaster, Nov. 16-17 

• World Religions Conference: Exploring Religion and World Peace, Hamilton, Nov. 17 

• See, Act, Learn about Climate Justice: Video Launch and Discussion (CFB/Kairos/ACT Alliance/For the Love of Creation), online, Nov. 18

• Sexual Exploitation and Demand Reduction (CCC), online, Nov. 18 

• The Art of Participatory Leadership, Toronto, Nov. 19-21 

• The Discipleship Opportunity: Church Vitalization and Learning Lab (Church and Vitalization), online, Nov. 21 

• Journey to Us Marriage Retreat (FOTFC), Priddis, Nov. 22-24 

• Okanagan Biblical Teaching Conference (Mountainview Church), Kelowna, Nov. 22-23 

• Together for the Armenians of Lebanon (AMAC), Toronto, Nov. 24 

• Deepening Understanding for Intercultural Ministry (CCC), Paris, ON, Nov. 25-29 

• Stories of Transformation in Canada (TOWC), online, Nov. 26 

• Digital Dignity: Protecting kids and youth online (Defend Dignity and the EFC), online, Nov. 26 

Additional EFC events 

• David Guretzki, presentation at Cardus, Supreme Court Law Review: Conscience and Rights, Ottawa, Nov. 14

• Rick Hiemstra and Lindsay Callaway, Parenting Faith presentation at men's and women's breakfast, Sunnyside Wesleyan Church, Ottawa, Nov. 16 

• David Guretzki, participating at WEA International Council, Executive Committee, Zimbabwe, Nov. 25-28