In Canada, a budget reform could deprive churches of their charitable status
The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada warns of the impact of certain budget measures proposed by the Finance Committee, which could deprive thousands of congregations of funding.
As the federal election approaches, a budget recommendation is causing concern among religious communities in Canada. The Finance Committee has submitted a report with more than 450 proposals for the next budget. Among them, two measures could call into question the charitable status of churches and religious organizations.
The first recommends that the government abolish the charitable status of organizations considered "anti-abortion". This wording is considered vague by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (AEC), which fears a broad application of this measure. "We wondered which organizations would be considered 'anti-abortion.' Would this include churches or other places of worship that affirm biblical teachings on the sanctity of life?" asks David Guretzki, president of the AEC, in an open letter.
In his view, such a provision would be contrary to the freedoms of conscience, belief and expression guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The second proposal plans to remove "the promotion of religion" as an eligibility criterion for charitable status. A decision that would affect many congregations across the country. "If this measure is passed, it would mean that thousands of churches and ministries would lose their charitable status. We estimate that 23,000 Christian congregations would be affected," warns David Guretzki.
In addition, the ACS points out that this reform would profoundly disrupt the Canadian associative landscape, as religious organizations play a central role in supporting vulnerable populations, whether it is food aid, accompaniment of refugees or local social services. Deprived of their status, they would lose their ability to issue tax receipts for charitable donations, effectively reducing their funding.
Research has shown that practicing Canadians contribute more to charity, both financially and in terms of volunteering. It has been estimated that the government should spend about $18 billion per year to compensate for services provided by religious groups to their local communities.
Faced with this threat, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada is calling on citizens to call on their MPs to maintain the recognition of the role of religious communities in the Canadian social fabric. "It is essential that these recommendations are never implemented," insists David Guretzki.
As the federal election approaches, a budget recommendation is causing concern among religious communities in Canada. The Finance Committee has submitted a report with more than 450 proposals for the next budget. Among them, two measures could call into question the charitable status of churches and religious organizations.
The first recommends that the government abolish the charitable status of organizations considered "anti-abortion". This wording is considered vague by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (AEC), which fears a broad application of this measure. "We wondered which organizations would be considered 'anti-abortion.' Would this include churches or other places of worship that affirm biblical teachings on the sanctity of life?" asks David Guretzki, president of the AEC, in an open letter.
In his view, such a provision would be contrary to the freedoms of conscience, belief and expression guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The second proposal plans to remove "the promotion of religion" as an eligibility criterion for charitable status. A decision that would affect many congregations across the country. "If this measure is passed, it would mean that thousands of churches and ministries would lose their charitable status. We estimate that 23,000 Christian congregations would be affected," warns David Guretzki.
In addition, the ACS points out that this reform would profoundly disrupt the Canadian associative landscape, as religious organizations play a central role in supporting vulnerable populations, whether it is food aid, accompaniment of refugees or local social services. Deprived of their status, they would lose their ability to issue tax receipts for charitable donations, effectively reducing their funding.
Research has shown that practicing Canadians contribute more to charity, both financially and in terms of volunteering. It has been estimated that the government should spend about $18 billion per year to compensate for services provided by religious groups to their local communities.
Faced with this threat, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada is calling on citizens to call on their MPs to maintain the recognition of the role of religious communities in the Canadian social fabric. "It is essential that these recommendations are never implemented," insists David Guretzki.
