Preserve advancement of religion
Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to reject Recommendation 430 to remove 'advancement of religion' as a charitable purpose, keep faith-based charities' charitable status, and omit the change from budget or law. The government responds that it is not considering removing the advancement of religion as a qualifying charitable purpose.
Why we would sign this petition
- Preserves community services: Keeping 'advancement of religion' protects faith-based groups that provide food banks, seniors care, newcomer support and other public services named in the petition.
- Protects religious freedom: Maintaining this charitable purpose recognizes freedom of religion and avoids singling out faith groups for reduced support.
- Reduces disruption: Rejecting the change avoids administrative, funding and operational disruptions that could follow from reclassifying faith-based charities.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Clarify charitable boundaries: Some may argue religious activities can be doctrinal rather than public-benefit charitable work, so reviewing the legal test could better distinguish charitable from non-charitable activity.
- Tax fairness concerns: Opponents could see continued tax privileges for religious organizations as unequal treatment and argue benefits should be tied strictly to demonstrable public benefit.
- Targeted reform preferable: Rather than preserving the status quo, critics may prefer narrower reforms or stricter rules to ensure charities primarily deliver demonstrable public services.
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: 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; Religious charities in Canada provide vital services to society, including food banks, care for seniors, family supports, assisting newcomers, 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 public; Freedom of religion and belief are fundamental rights in Canada, protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Reject Recommendation 430 of the House of Commons Finance Committee's pre-budget report; 2. Refrain from including this recommendation in the federal budget or any related legislation; and 3. Affirm the charitable status of faith-based organizations whose work results 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 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.