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441-00710 (Social affairs and equality)

Paper petition

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the Government of Canada

Whereas:

  • The Government of Canada is setting to remove charitable status from pregnancy centres simply on the basis that they do not conform to a worldview as prescribed by the Liberals;
  • Pregnancy centres in Canada play a valuable role in assisting women with information on the rights and resources available to them;
  • Women depend on pregnancy centres for access to counselling, practical prenatal classes and necessities like food, cribs, strollers, diapers, etc.; and
  • Many pregnancy centres are volunteer and faith-based organizations who make a positive social impact in the community.

THEREFORE:

We, the undersigned citizens and permanent residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to protect the charitable status of all pregnancy centres and allow pregnant women the right to be informed of all family planning options available to them.

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
Brad Vis (Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon)
September 27, 2022 (Petition No. 441-00710)
Government response tabled
November 14, 2022
Photo - Brad Vis
Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon
Conservative Caucus
British Columbia

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