CCCC’s Recommendation in Response to Government Rejections of CSJ Applications

cccc s recommendation in response to government rejections of csj applications

What we have feared has come true: the government has rejected the applications of Christian charities who could not, because of conscience, sign the government’s attestation requirement. CCCC’s sent the following message to our ministry leaders in response to the Government’s rejection:

Dear Ministry Leader,

Over the past days, we have received a number of notices from charities that their applications for funding through the Canada Summer Job Grant program have been returned due to “missing information” as a result of submitting an altered or modified attestation.

According to the Service Canada notification, any alteration or modification of the attestation will result in be considered an incomplete application.

However, Service Canada permits applicants to resubmit their application within 10 days of the rejection, with the offending attestation completed in order to perfect their application.

Essentially, Service Canada is asking charities to accept the Government’s attestation despite their religious and conscience rights.

CCCC’s Recommendations

CCCC suggests that charities who are unable to check the attestation box unamended resend their application along with the following request for an accommodation under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Human Rights Act.

To Whom It May Concern:

 We have received your notification that our application has not been processed because “…the attestation cannot be altered or modified. The “I attest” box must be checked and the application signed.”

 However, as we explained to you in our application, the requirement of the government to force us to make the attestation is a violation of our constitutional rights. Compelled speech violates our long-held democratic rights that have existed before the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, have been reiterated in the Charter, and are recognized in the Canadian Human Rights Act.  

Our religious beliefs and obligations, our conscience, our beliefs, thoughts, and opinions all preclude us from making the attestation as set out in the application and guide, including the supplementary information.

It is for this reason that we request an accommodation of our Charter rights to

–          freedom of religion;

–          freedom of conscience;

–          freedom of belief;

–          freedom of opinion;

–          freedom of thought;

–          freedom of expression; and

–          equality rights;

as well as our right to not be discriminated against on the basis of religion under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

We trust that you will consider the Charter and human rights accommodations we require.

 Sincerely,

We ask that you keep us informed on the success of your application and the government’s response to this letter to them.

 

Series Navigation<< Government Extends the Canada Summer Jobs Deadline to February 9What the fuss about ticking a box on the Canada Summer Jobs application is about >>

Thoughts on CCCC’s Recommendation in Response to Government Rejections of CSJ Applications

  1. Cathy

    Thanks for speaking up on this and acting boldly before the MPs and Prime Minister to confront this discrimination. Canadians must stand up for the constitution in which this great country was built on. Allowing this injustice destroys the very framework and foundation by which we have stood and grown strong on.

  2. Rob Hall

    Thank-you for taking a strong stand on this issue, is there any way of mobilizing Pastors in Canada, we don’t see anything in the media about them taking much of a stand against this government agenda. Where are all the Christians who should be sending in a deluge of letters and phone calls to the government. Once again our family thanks you for having the courage to fight this, we will pray for you ! God Bless

  3. Geraldine Hergott

    Agreeing to “tick the box” is huge step down a very slippery slope in the moral fabric of this great country The Dominion of Canada! Thank you to all of the men and women of this great land who are taking a stand against such an obvious abuse against the values and rights upon which this country was founded!

  4. Jessie drover

    It time for all people who are of the Christian faith to take a stand and let the devil know we are alive and is going to destroy him,he has no power over gods children,we have the victory within us ,let’s show the world we are not afraid to stand up for our belief,Christians have stood on the back bench to long,let’s put ourselves out there and let God work through us to bring about his will for all of us,god bless you all.

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