Pro-life charities targeted
The government plans to make changes to charitable status that could single out charities on the basis of pro-life beliefs. This could set a precedent that should be of concern to all charities.
The prime minister has instructed the finance minister to “Introduce amendments to the Income Tax Act to make antiabortion organizations that provide dishonest counselling to pregnant women about their rights and options ineligible for charitable status.”
The EFC is concerned because it seems these instructions single out organizations with particular views or beliefs about abortion for greater scrutiny. These instructions do not talk about dishonest conduct by any other kind of charity. It appears these new possible amendments are more about underlying beliefs or ideology than activity.
In Canada charities are permitted to disagree with government policies. A charity is free to advocate for retaining, opposing or changing any law or policy, as long as the charity is nonpartisan and furthering its stated charitable purpose.
As well, the guarantees of freedom of thought, belief and expression in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms should protect charities from this kind of initiative.
All charities should carry out their activities honestly and ethically. It is essential that removing charitable status be based on proof of dishonest conduct, and not just disagreement with underlying beliefs.
The same commitment to change charitable status was made in the 2021 Liberal Party platform, and it specifically mentioned crisis pregnancy centres. This mischaracterizes the many pregnancy care centres across Canada that support women and do important and worthwhile work.
The EFC has expressed strong concern about these possible changes to charitable status to the government. The EFC has developed resources to help equip Canadians to contact their local MP on these possible changes at www.TheEFC. ca/CharitableProLife.
“All charities are at risk if a charity can have their eligibility put at risk simply because they hold beliefs or priorities that differ from the government of the day.” —Julia Beazley, EFC director of public policy