Imagination toward a thriving society

Denying charitable status to crisis pregnancy centres because of their stance on abortion "is a threat to freedom of expression in a pluralist society and sets a troubling precedent for the politicization of charitable status in Canada," writes Andreae Sennyah.

"Have the authors of this report, reputable leaders with credentials and careers in public service, all been so blinded to their worldview that they can write their report without realizing the offence it provokes?" asks Ray Pennings, Executive Vice-President of Cardus?

A report recommending Canada's government remove Abrahamic faiths from the military chaplaincy is "one of the most egregious examples of anti-religious sentiment I have ever seen in Canada," writes Brian Dijkema, Vice-President of External Affairs at Cardus.

After Michael Van Pelt, President and CEO of Cardus, called out discriminatory recommendations for re-defining the military chaplaincy in Canada, the defence minister took a step to put some distance between herself and the recommendations.

"Eliminating sexism, racism and other social evils from the Canadian Armed Forces is a laudable goal. But sadly, the National Defence Advisory Panel on Systemic Racism and Discrimination has recommended an approach that appears to be based in religious bigotry: a theological cleansing of the military’s chaplaincy from some faiths," writes Rev. Dr. Andrew Bennett.

A recently released report from the Minister of National Defence’s Advisory Panel on Systemic Racism and Discrimination calls for discriminatory action itself among some of its many recommendations. The panel recommends the Canadian Armed Forces not employ chaplains affiliated with religions “whose beliefs are not synonymous with those of a diverse and inclusive workplace.” Cardus is calling on the defence to reject that part of the report.    

Join us at one of our presentations across Canada exploring new data on the religious spectrum. Upcoming locations: June 15: Hamilton, Ontario, Location TBA (12 - 2 pm) June 16: Wycliffe College, Toronto, Ontario (12 - 2 pm) Future tour dates and locations include: June 21: Calgary, Alberta June 22: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan September 15 - 16: Halifax, Nova Scotia September 26-27: Eastern Ontario, Location TBA October 11: Montreal, Quebec *Tour dates and locations are subject to change. Please refer back here for ticket registration and more information as tour dates approach.