Retain advancement of religion
Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to reject the Finance Committee's recommendation to remove 'advancement of religion' as a charitable purpose. The government responds it is not considering that change.
Why we would sign this petition
- Religious charities deliver social services and community support; keeping 'advancement of religion' preserves tax benefits that sustain volunteerism and local outreach.
- About 42% of charities are under 'advancement of religion', so rejecting removal avoids large-scale disruption to many organizations and beneficiaries.
- Maintaining the designation supports community resiliency by preserving organizations that mobilize local volunteers and outreach, as petitioners state.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Tax privileges for 'advancement of religion' may cover organizations focused on doctrinal activity rather than measurable public benefit; some may prefer limiting benefits to demonstrable public services.
- Keeping a broad religious category can mix service-providing charities with primarily faith-based activities, complicating oversight and public accountability.
- Targeted reforms—tightening registration criteria or accountability for public benefit—might address concerns without a blanket removal, which some may prefer.
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, nor is it actively developing policy on this issue.