EFC brief on charitable status, politicization of charities
The EFC made a submission to the federal Department of Finance in its consultation on Budget 2025. The EFC’s brief urged the finance department to reject two House of Commons finance committee recommendations dealing with charitable status.
The EFC’s brief emphasized the importance of the charitable sector and the benefits of religious charities to Canadian society. It also urged the department not to politicize charities and not to target charities based on their views on abortion and when life begins. Read the EFC's submission here.
New podcast: Helping kids grow in faith at home
Christie Thomas is an author, parent and children’s ministry leader in Alberta. Her latest book is Little Habits, Big Faith: How Simple Practices Help Your Family Grow in Jesus (NavPress, 2024). She joined the Faith Today Podcast to chat with host Bill Fledderus about how parents can help plant seeds of faith in their children and help them grow.
New EFC job opportunity
The EFC is seeking a Communications and Marketing Manager for a hybrid position in Ottawa. This role includes leading the dynamic EFC communications team, strengthening the EFC’s brand, coordinating the EFC’s various communications platforms, and more.
For the full job description and information about how to apply, visit TheEFC.ca/jobs.
Speaking truth in public
University of Manitoba medical student Rafael Zaki was expelled after posting pro-life comments on social media. EFC President Bruce Clemenger writes about why the EFC and other Christian organizations are seeking intervener status in Zaki’s upcoming appeal of a panel decision upholding his expulsion.
Subscribe to the EFC’s free bi-monthly magazine Faith Today to read all of Clemenger’s columns, along with other encouraging, inspiring Christian content.
Charitable receipt for January and February 2025
On January 23 the federal government released draft legislation to extend the 2024 charitable donation deadline to February 28, 2025. This change gives Canadians the option to claim their January and February 2025 donations in their 2024 tax return. Parliament will be asked to approve this change retroactively when it returns.
The EFC normally issues a single official receipt to each donor for all the donations made in a year. Your receipt for gifts made in 2024 are in the mail. To keep costs down, the EFC will only be sending receipts for January and February donations upon request (by email at efc@theEFC.ca or by phone at 1-866-302-3362). All requests made by March 31 will be processed in April and delivered by April 15.
EFC president, policy director on special Huntley episode
EFC president David Guretzki and director of public policy Julia Beazley are both featured on a special episode of the TV show 100 Huntley Street filmed on Parliament Hill. This broadcast discusses pressing moral and spiritual challenges in Canada and how we can respond in prayerful unity.
Guretzki discusses the importance of praying for those in authority, the value of the gospel in Canada today, and why Christians need to find hope and comfort in Christ. Beazley talks about prorogation and the finance’s committee’s recent recommendation to end charitable status for charities that advance religion.
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Impactus Men’s Conference, Edmonton, March 15; Winnipeg, March 21-22; online, April 4
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Deadline to apply for Redemptive Social Enterprise Lab (Kaleo), Cambridge, March 20
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Ministry Leadership Day (Heritage Seminary/Mark Vroegop), Cambridge, March 20
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Ignite Halifax (Ignite Prayer), March 21
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Women Pastors’ Experiences of Gender Inequality (Flourishing Congregations Institute), online, March 21
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Book in a Day: Romans (Timothy Trust), Nepean, March 22
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The Gospel Coalition Canada Young Adult Conference (TGC), Cambridge, Ont., March 22
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Finding Blessing in the Process: A Conversation About Faith, Deconstruction, and Blessed Are The Undone (Institute for Christian Studies), online/Toronto, March 22
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The Missional Nature and Importance of the Teaching Ministry Among God’s People (New Hope Fellowship), Mississauga, March 28
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Mission Conference 2025: Living God’s Story, Serving God’s Mission, Mississauga, March 29
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Ministry Leaders Renewal Retreat (FOTFC), East Braintree, April 1-8; Nestleton, April 5-12, Priddis, April 8-15
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Ignite Toronto (Ignite Prayer), April 4
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XY Men’s Conference (Tidal Church), Moncton, April 4-5
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Redemptive Social Enterprise Lab (Kaleo), Cambridge, April 7-9
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Evangelical Missiological Society Canada 2025 Regional Conferences, Edmonton, Langley, Steinbach, Toronto and online, April 7-9
Additional EFC events
Roger Helland and Joel Zantingh, among the leaders facilitating Ignite Prayer Halifax, March 21 and Ignite Prayer Toronto, April 4