News from the EFC

Election resources

What are the key issues for Christians leading up to Sept. 20, 2021? The EFC’s free election kit offers sample questions to ask candidates on 15 issues. It also lists what churches can and can’t do during elections and offers a guide to holding an all-candidates meeting. Other resources such as downloadable slides and a brochure are also available. WWW.THEEFC.CA/ELECTION

Indigenous relations

In June the EFC joined with Indigenous Peoples and other Canadians in grieving the tragedy evidenced by the unmarked graves of Indigenous residential school children. It also published a blog post sharing Resources for the Reconciliation Learning Journey. In July it expressed deep sadness at the vandalism and destruction of churches on reserves and echoed the comments of Indigenous leaders who condemned such attacks. The EFC’s Seven Commitments Working Group continues to meet monthly to pray, discern and take steps to spark conversations and action around the reconciliation commitments adopted in 2020 (www.TheEFC.ca/ SevenCommitments). A 1995 document called the Reconciliation Proclamation, drafted by Indigenous and non-Indigenous evangelical leaders, is currently being recirculated to help expand awareness about reconciliation, Indigenous Peoples and colonial history. WWW.THEEFC.CA/ INDIGENOUSRELATIONS

Porn sites need age verification

The parliamentary ethics committee released a report June 17 which recommends the age and consent of anyone depicted in pornography be verified before images are posted on pornography sites. The EFC submitted a brief in May to the committee studying Bill S-203. This private member’s bill by Senator Miville-Dechêne would

make it a criminal offence to make sexually explicit material available to minors online (for commercial purposes). Our website has a two-minute video, a sample letter and a link to a petition. WWW.THEEFC.CA/S-203

Conversion therapy definition needs clarity

The bill to ban conversion therapy passed in the House of Commons and at press time was scheduled for review by a Senate committee. The EFC is very concerned the bill’s definition of conversion therapy is not clear and specific. It needs to be changed to protect voluntary conversations and religious teaching. WWW.THEEFC.CA/C-6

Medical Assistance in Dying study

A special committee of MPs and senators has begun its review of the MAiD regime in Canada, including issues related to mature minors, advance requests, mental illness, the state of palliative care and the protection of Canadians with disabilities. The committee has a year to report back to Parliament with recommendations. WWW.THEEFC.CA/MAID

Weekly EFC prayer prompts

Each week on the EFC website we rotate through one prayer request from each of these five areas – Sanctity of Life, Care for the Vulnerable, Church and Mission, Family and Community, and Religious Freedom. We also list an EFC affiliate group to pray for. WWW.THEEFC.CA/TAKEACTION

Pandemic prayer prompts

The EFC continues to encourage pandemic-focused prayer. In June it sponsored an online event for EFC affiliates. Each Friday it also offers new Friday@4 pandemicfocused prayer suggestions. WWW.THEEFC.CA/COVID-19

EFC updates in French

Recent French-language articles on the EFC website have discussed the EFC’s work on Parliament Hill on a variety of issues including working to protect children from pornography and to protect the conscience rights of medical professionals. Others offered an interview with new EFC board president David Hearn and updates on EFC work on Indigenous relations. WWW. THEEFC.CA/ACTIONS-EVANGELIQUES