Preserve advancement of religion
Petitioners ask Canada to reject the Finance Committee recommendation to remove 'advancement of religion' as a charitable purpose. The government responds it will not remove that charitable purpose from the Income Tax Act.
Why we would sign this petition
- Preserves a broad network of faith-based charities that petitioners say deliver community services, volunteerism and local supports that bolster social resilience.
- Maintains tax-registration and donation-receipt abilities so religious charities can continue fundraising to support their activities.
- Avoids abrupt legal change that could disrupt faith-based programs, volunteers and the communities they serve.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Keeps tax-privileged status for organizations whose activities may primarily promote beliefs rather than a demonstrable public benefit.
- Raises fairness concerns if religious charities receive privileges unequal to secular groups or if 'public benefit' remains vague.
- Blocking the recommendation forecloses targeted reforms or safeguards; clearer benefit tests might address concerns without ending support for genuine charitable work.
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, WHEREAS Religious charities play a significant role in the charitable sector and the life of our country; More than 30,000 charities fall under the advancement of religion, roughly 42% of the charitable sector; Religious communities foster vibrant social networks, mobilize outreach, spark local volunteerism and foster community resiliency. Therefore we, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to reject the Finance Committee recommendation to remove the 'advancement of religion' as a charitable purpose.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Finance and National Revenue Signed by The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne 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 is not considering amending the Income Tax Act to remove the advancement of religion as a qualifying charitable purpose.