Dear Friend,
The EFC is filing to intervene in two Federal Court cases involving the Canada Summer Jobs program.
The Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program is a federal program, funded by tax payers’ dollars, that allows small businesses and non-profit organizations to hire students for summer jobs.
Each year, hundreds of Christian churches, ministries and camps rely on CSJ grants to hire students over the summer. Students benefit from meaningful work experiences and leadership development opportunities. And their good work, whether at summer camps, daycares, seniors centers or homeless shelters, benefit countless individuals and communities across Canada.
In 2018, many Christian groups, including many EFC affiliates, suddenly found themselves unable to access these public funds. The federal government created new requirements for the 2018 CSJ program. To be eligible, applicants had to declare that they support the government’s stance on certain social and moral issues by checking a box to affirm that both the job and the organization’s core mandate respect reproductive and other unspecified “rights.”
Requiring a “loyalty oath” in order to access government benefits violates the fundamental Charter freedoms of conscience and religion, thought, belief, opinion and expression. Public funds should not be withheld from law-abiding organizations because they refuse to affirm certain government ideologies that run contrary to their religious or conscientiously-held beliefs on issues like abortion, gender and sexuality.
In response to strong objections made by the EFC, our affiliates, and many other faith-based organizations, the federal government reworded the attestation for the 2019 CSJ grant to say that “any funding under the Canada Summer Jobs program will not be used to undermine or restrict the exercise of rights legally protected in Canada.” Many faith-based organizations were willing to affirm this in good conscience.
However, it appears that the federal government is still discriminating against religious organizations that do not support its ideological commitment.
BCM International (Canada) runs Mill Stream Bible Camp in Ontario. Its summer camps seek to develop Christian character and leadership skills in young people aged 5-15. To fulfill this mission, Mill Stream depends on staff and volunteers who are spiritually mature. Mill Stream welcomes all campers.
After many years of qualifying for and receiving CSJ grants to hire summer students, BCM’s application for the 2018 CSJ grant was rejected when BCM refused to submit to the contentious values test. But BCM’s application for the revised 2019 CSJ grant was still rejected. Why?
Service Canada says that BCM policies “restrict access to programs, services, or employment, or otherwise discriminate, contrary to applicable laws, on the basis of prohibited grounds, including sex, genetic characteristics, religion, race, national or ethnic origin, colour, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.”
But there is nothing illegal about a Christian summer camp hiring Christian staff. Ontario’s Human Rights Code permits religious organizations to require religious belief and practice as a job qualification where it is reasonable given the nature of the position. BCM follows all applicable laws.
No government program should enforce political and ideological conformity of any kind. The government has a duty to maintain state neutrality and faith-based organizations should not be unfairly and unlawfully discriminated against on account of their Christian beliefs.
BCM has filed a court application against the federal government, asking the Court to declare that the decision deeming Mill Stream ineligible to apply for CSJ grants was unreasonable and violated its Charter rights and freedoms. BCM is also seeking a court order to quash the decision deeming Mill Stream ineligible for the grants. This will affect future eligibility decisions.
Another case involves Redeemer, a private university operating by an act of the Ontario Legislature empowering it to be a Christian community providing education within the Reformed tradition. Ontario human rights legislation enables a religious organization to maintain its religious character in matters of employment and it conforms to all applicable laws as required by the CSJ application. Yet it was refused grants because of its Christian beliefs about marriage and sexuality, and was discriminated against on the basis of religion.
The EFC is collaborating with the Canadian Council of Christian Charities and Christian Legal Fellowship to intervene jointly in these cases, which will have far-reaching implications for many religious organizations. Will charitable status and accreditation be denied churches and schools for hiring those who uphold biblical truths and expectations for conduct?
Religious freedom in Canada must be protected and respected. Faith-based organizations should be able to continue to work for the good of our society without hindrance. Please pray for the EFC’s work in defending our religious freedoms and consider making a financial gift today in support of our work. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Bruce Clemenger
President