The Canadian Evangelical Fellowship (EFC) expresses strong concern over the government’s plan to remove religious advancements for charitable purposes, highlighting the important contributions religious organizations make to Canadian society through social services, volunteer work and community support.
In a submission on March 10th, the EFC wrote to the Federal Treasury regarding consultations regarding the upcoming Budget 2025. He also raised concerns about a proposal to amend the Income Tax Act to remove privileged positions that advance religion as charitable purposes.
The EFC submission urged the finance department to reject two House Finance Committee recommendations made for pre-budget consultations as part of the House Standing Committee on Financial Reports.
“Religious charities play an important role in the charity sector and in our country’s lives,” the EFC submission highlighted the potential widespread impact. “Of the over 73,000 charities registered with the CRA, there are over 30,000 religious advancements, roughly 42% of the charity sector. It is estimated that there are 23,000 Christian churches in Canada.”
Additionally, the EFC reminded the government that religious advancements as charitable purposes have been engraved in the law “for centuries.”
“Thousands of churches and faith-based organizations across Canada, a religious charity, benefit participants, communities and Canadian society as a whole.
“Religious charities foster vibrant social networks, mobilize outreach, induce local volunteering and promote community resilience.”
The EFC emphasized that religious communities can help individuals find “hope, mutual support, belonging.”
“A growing number of Canadians are tackling loneliness and social isolation,” the EFC noted. “Polarization and lack of social cohesion have heightened concern.”
The EFC also emphasized that religion benefits secular society, saying, “Their core purpose is religious worship and progress, but many religious communities provide inclusive help – idyllic, social, physical – and their actions flow from religious beliefs and identities.”
“Within the Christian community, Bible teaching emphasizes that believers of Jesus Christ live in a way that shows love for their neighbors, especially those who are vulnerable,” the EFC says.
“This leads to actions and activities that seek good in Canadian society, whether volunteering within faith-based organizations or non-faith organizations. Christian individuals and their communities are heading outside of it, first towards God, then towards their neighbors, in a concrete, self-infused way.”
The EFC warned the government against politicization of the charity sector and recommended the removal of charities of anti-abortion organizations, citing the example of the Standing Committee on Finance.
“We urge the government to follow the recommendations of the Finance Committee to instead recognize the association and interests of religion between the charity sector and the public life of Canada, in order to eliminate religions that are moving forward for charitable purposes.”
