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441-00652 (Social affairs and equality)

Paper petition

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the House of Commons

We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:

Whereas:

The Liberal Party of Canada has promised in its 2021 platform to deny the charitable status of organizations that have convictions about abortion which the Liberal Party views as "dishonest";

This may jeopardize the charitable status of hospitals, houses of worship, schools, homeless shelters, and other charitable organizations which do not agree with the Liberal Party on this matter for reasons of conscience;

Many Canadians depend upon and benefit from the charitable work done by such organizations;

The government has previously used a "values test" to discriminate against worthy applicants to the Canada Summer Jobs Program, denying funding to any organization which was not willing to check a box endorsing political positions of the governing party;

Charities and other non-profit organizations should not be discriminated against on the basis of their political views or religious values and should not be subject to a politicized "values test"; and

All Canadians have a right under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to freedom of expression without discrimination.

Therefore we, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:

1. Protect and preserve the application of charitable status rules on a politically and ideologically neutral basis, without discrimination on the basis of political or religious values and without the imposition of another "values test"; and

2. Affirm the right of Canadians to freedom of expression.

Response by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Chrystia Freeland

Canada's charitable sector is diverse and vibrant. From education to social support services, an estimated 86,000 registered charities engage in public benefit activities that touch almost every aspect of Canadian life. Registered charities are provided important supports under the tax system, including an exemption from income tax and the ability to issue official donation receipts for any gifts that they receive.

All Canadians should have the information they need to freely make decisions over their own bodies and have access to the medical care and services that are their legal right. Registered charities that provide reproductive health services are required to provide accurate and evidence-based information to women with respect to their rights and options at all stages of their pregnancy. In this regard, the Government of Canada is committed to taking action to ensure that organizations that provide dishonest counselling to pregnant women are ineligible for charitable registration, while respecting Canadians’ right to freedom of expression and freedom of conscience and religion under the Charter.  

Presented to the House of Commons
Damien Kurek (Battle River—Crowfoot)
September 20, 2022 (Petition No. 441-00652)
Government response tabled
November 3, 2022
Photo - Damien Kurek
Battle River—Crowfoot
Conservative Caucus
Alberta

Only validated signatures are counted towards the total number of signatures.