Protect religious charities' status
Petitioners ask the Government to reject Recommendations 429 and 430 and affirm charitable status for faith-based organizations. The government responds that religious charities meeting Income Tax Act rules may register and it affirms reproductive rights.
Why we would sign this petition
- It preserves tax status that lets faith-based organizations continue providing community services petitioners say benefit the public.
- It defends freedom of religion and belief by opposing removal of ‘advancement of religion’ as a charitable purpose, supporting pluralism.
- It prevents singling out faith-based groups for their beliefs, keeping them included in the charitable sector rather than excluded.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Opponents may say keeping 'advancement of religion' lets groups opposing reproductive choice retain tax privileges, potentially conflicting with public policy on reproductive rights.
- Critics could argue rejecting the recommendations misses a chance to clarify or tighten Income Tax Act rules so charities truly operate 'exclusively' for charitable purposes.
- Some may contend tax benefits should not subsidize organizations whose advocacy affects others' rights, and that revoking status can be a targeted accountability tool.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, draw attention of the Government of Canada to the following: Whereas: Recommendation 430 of the House of Commons Finance Committee's pre-budget report proposes removing the "advancement of religion" as a recognized charitable purpose under the Income Tax Act; Recommendation 429 proposes revoking charitable status from anti-abortion organizations; Religious charities in Canada provide vital services to society, including food banks, care for seniors, newcomer support, youth programs, and mental health outreach - all rooted in their faith traditions; These communities promote hope, belonging, social cohesion, and compassion, benefiting both their members and the broader public; Freedom of religion and belief are fundamental rights in Canada, protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; and Singling out or excluding faith-based charities from the charitable sector based on religious belief undermines the diversity and pluralism foundational to Canadian society. We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Reject Recommendations 429 and 430 of the House of Commons Finance Committee's pre-budget report; 2. Refrain from including these recommendations in the federal budget or any related legislation; and 3. Affirm the charitable status of faith-based organizations whose work flows from sincerely held beliefs and whose contributions serve the common good in Canada.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Finance and National Revenue Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, P.C., M.P. The Government of Canada recognizes the vital role that charities, including religious charities, play in delivering essential services to some of the most vulnerable in Canadian society. To support their important work, registered charities are granted significant tax benefits and privileges, including the ability to issue official donation receipts for the gifts they receive. Under the Income Tax Act, an organization may only qualify for charitable registration where it is established exclusively for charitable purposes and devotes all its resources to achieving those purposes. The legal interpretation of “charitable purposes” has developed over time to include the relief of poverty, the advancement of religion, the advancement of education, and other purposes recognized as charitable, such as the promotion of health or the protection of the environment. Today, Canada is home to over 85,000 registered charities, representing a wide variety of causes, beliefs, and interests. Registration as a charity does not indicate government endorsement of an organization’s specific goals or views. Instead, it confirms that the organization meets certain conditions, including that it is constituted and operated exclusively for charitable purposes. These benefits are extended to a broad range of organizations providing socially beneficial activities to the public, from educational institutions to religious organizations, as long as they meet the legal requirements for registration. The Government of Canada remains firmly committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose and ensuring access to comprehensive reproductive care across the country.