Dear Friend,
Since 1964, the EFC has worked tirelessly to promote the application of biblical truths before our governments
as well as in our courts.
Governments create the laws. But it’s the courts that interpret and apply them. The EFC’s work in the courts – to provide a robust defense of religious freedoms and to fight for just rulings – are an integral part of our work for Kingdom impact. The EFC is a highly experienced legal intervener and friend of the courts, having already intervened in 33 cases before the Supreme Court of Canada, and in nearly 40 hearings before other courts!
Because legal interventions are expensive, decisions to intervene are highly strategic and are made only after much consideration and prayer. But when the stakes are high and the issues have major implications for religious freedom or for Canadians experiencing vulnerabilities, we can’t
not get involved.
That’s why the EFC needs to build up its Legal Fund each spring. This year, I’m praying for an overwhelmingly positive response from our EFC family to this crucial appeal for funds.
Here are just two of the many important cases that, with your help, we can move forward with.
The first case involves Harvest Ministries International (HMI), a Christian group who had booked the Quebec City Convention Centre to hold their 10-day revival event in June 2023. About 1,200 people were expected to gather for the event.
But with just weeks to go, HMI had to cancel the event because Quebec’s tourism minister ordered the convention centre to cancel the booking. Why? Because HMI’s pro-life beliefs were deemed to be contrary to “Quebec’s fundamental principles.” Even though abortion issues were not on the conference’s agenda, the minister of tourism felt she had sufficient grounds to cancel the contract based on the pro-life views expressed on HMI’s website.
If this action is allowed to stand, a precedent may be set for denying the use of public spaces to religious organizations on the basis of the religious views they hold. This could very well have a significant impact on all faith-based organizations. Those that don’t have their own buildings rely on their ability to rent public facilities to hold religious services. And sometimes, religious groups may need larger venues for special events, conferences or other charitable activities.
The EFC, along with other organizations representing Christian ministries, have been granted intervener status in this court case. The ability of religious groups to gather in public spaces to learn, serve or worship is being challenged, and this challenge cannot go unanswered.
Another critical legal challenge being brought before the courts deals with the ability of faith-based healthcare institutions to be euthanasia-free.
St. Paul’s Hospital, located in Vancouver, BC, is run by Providence Health Care, a Catholic organization. Doctor-assisted suicide and euthanasia is not permitted at any of its facilities. They believe that medical assistance in dying (“MAiD”) is a form of killing – the intentional termination of a human life – which violates the biblical command of “You shall not murder.” However, if a patient requests MAiD, Providence will respect the patient’s decision and arrange to transfer them to a facility that permits it.
In this case, a patient who was dying from cancer was transferred from St. Paul’s Hospital to a Vancouver hospice because she wanted to hasten her own death. She was sedated for the transfer and did not regain consciousness. She was euthanized according to her wishes.
The patient’s family feels that patients should have the right to receive MAiD in any facility that provides end-of-life care without the need to be transferred. They are challenging Providence’s policy in court. The B.C. Ministry of Health is also being sued because the provincial government allows publicly funded healthcare organizations to opt out of providing certain procedures (like euthanasia) on religious grounds.
The
Charter protects doctors and other healthcare providers from having to carry out procedures that violate their religious convictions on life, death, and human dignity. The EFC is seeking intervener status in this case to argue that faith-based healthcare facilities should also have the same conscientious objection rights that individual practitioners have.
Faith-based healthcare facilities in Canada have long provided the kind of high standard, compassionate, and life-affirming care that is valued by many, regardless of their beliefs. These organizations are committed to the inherent dignity of every human life – from conception to natural death – and view the termination of life as contrary not only to their faith, but even to the basic historical principles of medicine.
MAiD-free spaces protect both the doctors who conscientiously object, as well as the patients who want to avoid the risk of being pressured to choose MAiD as a potential “solution” for their condition. At stake in this case (which will likely make its way to the Supreme Court) is the loss of faith-based facilities in Canada that offer excellent health care
and a refuge from euthanasia.
It’s crucial that we build up the EFC’s Legal Fund immediately. Please, will you make a generous donation
today? As always, we are grateful for your impactful partnership!
Dr. David Guretzki
President & CEO