At the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities (“CCCC”), we are committed to helping ministries become ever more exemplary, healthy, effective and Christian in practice. That’s why, we’re excited to invite you to Equipped, our new in-person training series!

Designed for Christian leaders, Equipped offers practical guidance, real-world insight, and encouragement to help you lead with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re navigating governance, managing risk, or strengthening your organization, these sessions are built to support you in the work that matters most.

Equipped is more than a seminar – it’s a chance to connect and grow. Join us for the full day of learning, fellowship and shared problem-solving with peers from across the sector.

We’re coming to cities across Canada in 2026 – find a location near you and join us!

Apr 23, 2026- Moncton, NB
Venue: The Journey Church
Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

Apr 24, 2026- Halifax (Lower Sackville), NS
Venue: Rock Church
Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

May 5, 2026- Calgary, AB
Venue: Bow Valley Christian Church
Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

May 6, 2026- Edmonton, AB
Venue: Ellerslie Road Baptist Church
Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

May 7, 2026- Abbotsford, BC
Venue: Columbia Bible College
Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

September 22, 2026- Regina, SK
Venue: Regina Apostolic Church
Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

September 23, 2026- Saskatoon, SK
Venue: Circle Drive Alliance Church
Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

September 24, 2026- Winnipeg, MB
Venue: Church of the Rock Inc.
Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

October 20, 2026- London, ON
Venue: Gateway Church
Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

October 21, 2026- Mississauga, ON
Venue: World Vision Canada – Vision Mondiale Canada
Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

October 22, 2026- Ottawa, ON
Venue: Metropolitan Bible Church Ministry
Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

REGISTRATION DETAILS

• CCCC Members: $125
• Non-Members: $175
• Registration includes the full-day event, lunch, and refreshments.

Register today and invite a friend! Space is limited, and registration closes one week prior to the event. We look forward to a day of learning and renewal with you.

Annual Equipped Sponsors

The post Equipped: CCCC National Tour 2026 appeared first on CCCC Blogs.

On March 17, 2026, Québec’s Chair of the Committee on Citizen Relations (“Committee”) tabled the report (“Report”) on Bill 9, An Act respecting the reinforcement of laicity in Québec, 2nd Sess., 43rd Leg, 2025 (“Bill 9”) in Québec’s National Assembly (“Assembly”). The Committee made several amendments, but many of the proposed restrictions on religious freedoms remain. CCCC maintains that, if passed, Bill 9 could significantly limit how individuals and organizations express their faith in Québec.

What is Bill 9?

Bill 9 aims to reinforce secularism, also known as “laicity”, across a wide range of publicly funded settings. Bill 9 expands upon Québec’s ban on religious symbols and prohibits all religious practice in select post-secondary institutions, childcare centers, healthcare facilities, and private schools. “Religious practice” is defined as:

[a]ny action, except the wearing of a religious symbol, that may reasonably constitute, in fact or in appearance, the manifestation of a religious conviction or belief.

The example of “overt prayers or other similar practices” is provided to further contextualize the term “religious practice” in Bill 9.

Schools and Educational Settings

In private schools, Bill 9 would prohibit religious practices during regular school hours. Schools could still allow religious activities outside school hours, but only if participation is optional. Bill 9 would not apply to religious practices that take place in private residences within these institutions.

What this means for private Christian schools

Private religious schools could continue to operate, but as noted by Christian Legal Fellowship (“CLF”), they may face limits on accreditation and access to funding. To maintain faith-based activities, including religious instruction or worship, schools may need to move these activities outside regular school hours and make them optional. Bill 9 offers little practical guidance on how schools should express their religious identity in policies, curriculum, or community life.

Public Spaces and Places of Worship

Bill 9 protects religious practices within places of worship and prohibits interference with access to them.

However, organizations that want to hold religious gatherings in public spaces, such as parks or streets, would need municipal approval. It remains unclear how municipalities would assess and grant these requests.

What this means for churches and religious gatherings

Churches may face new limits on where they can gather. For example, a church that wants to hold a service in a public park would need to apply for municipal approval. It is unclear how municipalities would regulate these requests or impose limitations on group gatherings in public spaces. During public hearings on Bill 9, Québec’s Minister Responsible for Secularism indicated that some activities, such as funeral processions or collecting donations for charitable purposes, would still be permitted.

Religious Accommodation

People requesting religious accommodation would need to show that their request is sincere, reasonable, and consistent with equality rights. If the request involves time away from work, employers would consider:

1. how often the absence occurs;
2. how long it lasts;
3. the impact on job performance; and
4. fairness to other employees

When accommodation requests involve children in childcare settings, providers must ensure they do not affect:

1. the quality of the educational childcare services;
2. the educational program; and
3. the health, safety and well-being of the children

Bill 9 is broad in scope. As the Canadian Civil Liberties Association has noted, “this sweeping piece of legislation almost completely prohibits collective religious practice in public.”

What changed in the Committee’s Report on Bill 9?

The Committee’s Report (currently only available in French) introduces several amendments. These changes clarify certain provisions but do not significantly reduce the overall impact of Bill 9.

Key updates include:

• Extending the ban on religious symbols to include public service contractors (not just employees);
• Adjusting rules related to religious criteria in private schools;
• Removing childcare institutions from some segregation-related requirements;
• Requiring organizations that provide religious-based food options to offer a comparable non-religious option; and
• Allowing certain chapels at post-secondary institutions to continue operating (Concordia University, Université Laval, McGill University, and Bishop’s University).

The report also removes the requirement for municipalities to pass formal council resolutions before approving religious gatherings. While these are positive changes, the core tenets of, and therefore the concerns about, Bill 9 remain largely the same.

The Broader Context: Secularism in Québec

Bill 9 builds upon Québec’s existing secularism law, the Act respecting laicity of the State, CQLR  c L-0.3 (known as Bill 21). CCCC has previously published blogs on Bill 21’simpact on public-sector employees and its potential influence on Canadian’s attitudes towards religion.

Bill 21has drawn national attention to the religious freedoms of public-sector employees. The Supreme Court of Canada is currently hearing a constitutional challenge to the law, and specifically the legitimacy of section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, commonly known as the notwithstanding clause.

CCCC continues to advocate for the religious freedoms of Christian charities in Québec. We recently made arguments as an intervenor in a case addressing whether religious groups have equal access to public spaces in Québec, and are awaiting the court’s decision.

What Happens Next?

The Assembly will now review and vote on the Report. If the Assembly votes to adopt the Report, Bill 9 will move to the final stage of study during the legislative process. At that stage, only limited amendments are possible. After the legislative process is complete, the Lieutenant Governor must approve the bill before it becomes law.

What You Can Do

If you want to understand how Bill 9 may affect your organization, we encourage you to review CLF’s submissions to Québec’s National Assembly. We also ask for ongoing prayers for wisdom for decision-makers and for the protection of religious freedom in Québec. We will share further updates on the status of Bill 9 here on our blog.

We’re Here to Help

If you have questions or would like support, please contact our Member Support Team by phone or email.

The post Quebec’s Bill 9 – What Does Secularism Look Like For Religious Organizations? appeared first on CCCC Blogs.

Key Elements of Bill 18

Bill 18 would address many deep concerns about the rapid expansion and lack of oversight of Canada’s medical assistance in dying (MAID) regime. For starters, the Bill would:

• Require that natural death be reasonably foreseeable within 12 months
• Prohibit MAID for mental illness
• Prohibit MAID for youth, by advance request and for those without decision-making capacity

Importantly, Bill 18 would explicitly designate MAID-free health care facilities. In MAID-free facilities, both the organization and individual medical professionals would have the right to refuse to provide MAID. Medical professionals would not be forced to give an opinion on whether a patient should access MAID, and MAID-free spaces would not be required to display MAID-related materials.

For patients in MAID-free facilities who want information or access to MAID, there would be a requirement to refer that patient to another facility or medical professional for information about “all available medical options.”

Given the lack of oversight and rigorous enforcement of MAID criteria, Bill 18 would enforce that contraventions of the law are unacceptable and medical professionals who violate Bill 18’s provisions would be subject to findings of unprofessional conduct under the Health Professions Act. 

The Bill also:

• Outlines the rights and responsibilities of patients, physicians, and health care facilities regarding MAID;
• Proposes a care coordination service for people who want MAID;
• Establishes education and training requirements for MAID providers

Bill 18 would come into force upon proclamation. It would not apply to prior written requests for MAID, nor to health care professionals who already assess for or provide MAID.

Other Legislation to Limit Rapid Expansion of MAID

Bill C-218 is a federal bill that would protect Canadians struggling with mental illness from being given MAID, instead of care, support and treatment. Without this, or other legislation, MAID for the sole underlying reason of mental illness will come into effect in March 2027.

Bill C-260, Preventing Coercion of Persons Not Seeking Medical Assistance in Dying Act is a federal bill that would make it offence for certain government officials to propose MAID to individuals. It excludes medical professionals and requires that the official (a) be in a position of trust or authority and (b) know the person has not specifically requested a conversation about MAID. This Bill was motivated, at least in part, by Veterans Affairs staff proactively offering MAID to veterans who were seeking support and not MAID.

MAID-Free Spaces Are Essential

We have written elsewhere that MAID-free spaces and life-affirming care organizations are essential:

“Life-affirming care is committed to providing, facilitating, and offering the very social supports that, without which, many MAID patients have chosen death. This care demonstrates that there is dignity and worth in every single person, that all people are valued, that all people have a place, and that dignity and worth are not dependent on a person’s health, stage of life, or ability.”

This is also the core of our intervention in the O’Neill v Providence case in British Columbia. CCCC is currently finalizing our written arguments, which focus on

• The need for collective conscience protections—not just for individuals, but for entire organizations.
• The importance of respecting charity law, which obliges charitable institutions to act in line with their foundational purposes.

If you want to know more about CCCC Interventions, we’ve written a four-part series in our Bulletins – see our March, April, May and June 2025 editions. You can also check our Legal Cases page.

And as always, if you have questions or would like support, please contact our Member Support Team by phone or email.

The post Alberta’s Bill -18 Proposes Important Safeguards to MAID Regime appeared first on CCCC Blogs.

This marks a significant step toward Bill C-9 becoming law. It will now move to the Senate for further review and vote.

As we recently published, the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights tabled its report on Bill C-9 (“Report”) in the House of Commons, which made some changes to Bill C-9. However, the Report did not address one the biggest concerns raised by CCCC and other organizations, namely the removal of the good faith religious defence from the Criminal Code.

What changed during the Third Reading of Bill C-9?

There are several key differences between the first version of Bill C-9 and the version passed by the House of Commons.

1. Removes the good faith religious defence. This is one of the most problematic elements of Bill C-9, as the good faith religious defence provides clarity, ensures the offences remain constitutional, and preserves free expression.
2. Attorney General Approval Required. Prosecutors must still obtain the Attorney General’s consent before proceeding with charges. Initially, Bill C-9 removed this safeguard. Restoring it  is a welcome change as it adds an extra layer of oversight and helps ensure prosecutions serve the public interest.
3. Updates Definition of “hatred”. The updated definition uses language from the Supreme Court of Canada. The first version of Bill C-9 defined hatred as an ”emotion that involves detestation or vilification and that is stronger than disdain or dislike”. The updated definition defines hatred as “an emotion of an intense and extreme nature that is clearly associated with vilification and detestation”. This change better reflects a higher threshold of what is considered “hatred”.
4. Maintains Protection for Religious Property. The offence of mischief relating to religious property remains an offence in the Criminal Code. Earlier versions of Bill C-9 removed this offence from the Criminal Code.
5. Adds New “Clarification” on Expression. The third reading version of Bill C- 9 includes language that allows people to speak on religious, political, and scientific issues if they do not “willfully promote hatred”. The “clarification” provides that:

While this change may seem helpful, it does not offer the same protection of religious expression as the good-faith religious defence in the Criminal Code. The good faith religious defence expressly safeguards religious expression in ways this new wording does not.

What Has Not Changed?

There are several key elements that remain the same between the first version of Bill C-9 and the version passed by the House of Commons:

1. Create a New Hate Crime Offence. This remains problematic as courts are already required to consider hate as an aggravating factor in sentencing.
2. Create an offence of willful promotion of hatred through displays of terrorism and hate symbols.
3. Create an intimidation offence for restricting access to places that are used for worship or by an identifiable group for social, cultural, athletic and educational activities. The Criminal Code already addresses offences relating to the protection of places of worship, and many municipal by-laws further address access to specific places of worship.

CCCC recognizes that there must be limits to expression in a free and democratic society. Further, as a religious organization representing religious organizations, we are keenly aware of the offensive, derogatory and hurtful speech so often aimed at communities and individuals of faith and acknowledge it is necessary for the government to take seriously the acts of hate crimes and antisemitism that are noticeably on the rise. However, Bill C-9 raises deep and serious concerns about free expression. 

What Happens Next?

Bill C-9 will now be sent to the Senate with a message from the Clerk of the House requesting the Senate consider the bill. The Senate’s legislative process is similar to the House of Commons. If the Senate makes any changes to Bill C-9, it will need to be sent back to the House of Commons. The House of Commons and the Senate are both required to accept any amendments before Bill C-9 receives royal assent and becomes law.

What You Can Do

If you or your organization have concerns about the Bill, you can call or write to senators. Members who contact senators should check whether this activity will require registration under the Lobbying Act, RSC 1985 c 44, (4th Supp). For more information about lobbying registration thresholds, you can see CCCC general guidance in our Lobbying and PPDDA Topic Handbook.

We’re Here to Help

If you have questions or would like support, please contact our Member Support Team by phone or email.

The post Bill C-9: Passes Third Reading with Key Changes appeared first on CCCC Blogs.

This year, the Committee is asking for input earlier than usual. This allows Canadians more time to share their ideas, and ensures those ideas are considered before the Federal Budget is finalized in the Fall. 

CCCC will prepare a written brief that highlights the challenges and opportunities facing our members and religious charities in Canada. We will share our submission on this blog once its available. We have posted about our previous pre-budget submissions on our blog.

Why Your Voice Matters

In recent years, the impact of pre-budget submissions on religious charities in Canada has drawn national attention.

The Christian charitable sector makes a meaningful contribution to Canadian communities and the economy. Research from Cardus highlights just how significant that impact is.

If you want the government to recognize and protect the charitable status of religious charities in Canada, now is the time to speak up. A written submission is your opportunity to share your perspective directly with decision-makers.

How to Participate

Consultations are open until April 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST. All written submissions should follow the Committee’s official template and are not permitted to be longer than 2000 words (including charts, tables, images and citations). To submit your brief, you may upload it through the Committee’s website.

We’re Here to Help

If you have questions or would like support, please contact our Member Support Team by phone or email.

The post Federal 2026 Pre-Budget Consultation appeared first on CCCC Blogs.

Standing Committee Report

The Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights tabled its report on Bill C-9 to the House of Commons. The “report” was simply an amended version of the Bill. It did not address the many serious concerns raised in written submissions and oral testimony before the Committee.

The amended Bill restores the requirement for Attorney General consent before prosecutions under the section can proceed; however, it also deletes the good faith religious defence. This was – and is – an extremely problematic development, as expressed by CCCC and many other organizations.

Good Faith Religious Defence Must be Retained

According to the Supreme Court of Canada, the good faith religious defence helps ensure the offence remains constitutionally sound and does not infringe on Charter rights and freedoms.

Instead of preserving the good faith religious defence, the amended Bill C-9 purports to add a “clarification”, namely that:

For greater certainty, nothing in subsection 319(2) [wilful promotion of hatred] or (2.2) [wilful promotion of hatred – terrorism and hate symbols *new*] of the Criminal Code shall be construed as prohibiting a person from communicating a statement on a matter of public interest, including an educational, religious, political or scientific statement made in the course of a discussion, publication or debate, if they do not wilfully promote hatred against an identifiable group by communicating the statement.

It is unclear how this clause provides any certainty.

The Criminal Code currently makes it an offence to “wilfully promote hatred against any identifiable group”. The new wording does not limit the offence or create a defence. It simply repeats, in a different form, the offence. Canadians can communicate on educational, religious, political or scientific matters if they do not wilfully promote hatred.

CCCC Advocacy

CCCC has actively engaged on this issue. We made submissions to the Justice Committee, wrote directly to the Minister of Justice and sent a follow up letter to the Minister of Justice. As of this blog publication, no response has been forthcoming.

This lack of response is disappointing. It is particularly disappointing when, during debte in the Commons, some MPs suggested that Bill C-9 is not concerning to religious communities. Some further suggest that religious Canadians and organizations misunderstand the bill.

If that is the case, we would welcome the opportunity for a conversation with the Minister. We would appreciate clear answers, especially about why removing the good faith religious defence should not be of concern to all Canadians, and specifically Canadians of faith.

Next Steps

Bill C-9 will now be scheduled for third reading. Amendments can be proposed at this stage, and bills can be referred back to committee to reconsider certain clauses; however, third reading is more often a perfunctory step rather than substantive (re)consideration of the bill.

For Bill C-9, if voting at the report stage is any indication, it will pass third reading and move on to the Senate.

If you are concerned about the Bill and its potential impact on your organization, our friends at EFC have prepared a helpful, succinct summary on Bill C- 9 and offer recommendations for how to interact with your MP. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact CCCC and be sure to subscribe to this blog for ongoing updates about Bill C-9.

The post Bill C-9: Moves Forward to Third Reading but Key Concerns Remain appeared first on CCCC Blogs.

Inspire.FM provides inspiring, educational, and enriching Bible teaching programs,
contemporary Christian music, along with family friendly programming that reflect Christian
values.

We are absolutely thrilled to congratulate Inspire.FM on achieving this incredible milestone!
Find out more about Inspire.FM and other CCCC Accredited Members at GiveConfidently.ca.

The post Congratulations, Inspire Christian Media Ministries Inc.! appeared first on CCCC Blogs.

Why Donate to an Accredited Charity?

Accreditation by the CCCC is a signal of trust and excellence. It shows that a charity
upholds rigorous standards in governance, financial management, ethical
fundraising, and Christian mission. For donors, this means peace of mind, knowing
your contributions are in good hands, and making a meaningful difference in
communities around the world.

Explore Accredited Charities

We invite you to learn about our Accredited Members’ diverse missions and achievements.
Whether your passion lies in supporting local community services, international aid,
or faith-based initiatives, an accredited charity is ready to amplify your impact. Visit
our directory to find a cause that resonates with your values.

Congratulations to CCCC’s 2026 Accredited Members!

The post Celebrating Excellence: Our 2026 Accredited Christian Charities appeared first on CCCC Blogs.

The Justice Committee (Committee) tabled its report (Report) on the proposed changes to Bill C-9 in the House of Commons on March 13, 2026. While some amendments to Bill C-9 have been introduced to promote clarity, CCCC remains concerned about the removal of the good faith religious defence in section 319(3)(b) of the Criminal Code.

The Report includes other changes to Bill C-9, including clarification of the term “hatred”. The amended definition now describes “hatred” as:

“an emotion of an intense and extreme nature that is clearly associated with vilification and detestation.”

Further changes have also been made to the term “hate propaganda”, namely:

11.1 (1) For greater certainty, nothing in subsection 319(2) or (2.2) of the Criminal Code shall be construed as prohibiting a person from communicating a statement on a matter of public interest, including an educational, religious, political or scientific statement made in the course of a discussion, publication or debate, if they do not wilfully promote hatred against an identifiable group by communicating the statement.

(2) For greater certainty, nothing in subsection 319(2.1) of the Criminal Code shall be construed as prohibiting a person from communicating a statement on a matter of public interest, including an educational, religious, political or scientific statement made in the course of a discussion, publication or debate, if they do not wilfully promote antisemitism by condoning, denying or downplaying the Holocaust.”

As we have previously noted, these amendments may still face criticism for being “circular” and for failing to provide clarity or certainty. Further debates on Bill C-9 in the House of Commons are scheduled for March 23, 2026.  

Our friends at EFC have developed a suite of resources on Bill C-9, and are encouraging those concerned about the ongoing ambiguity in Bill C-9 to contact their local MP to advocate for “strong, clear language that protects religious expression” when debate resumes in the House of Commons next week.

UPDATE (March 12, 2026) – JUSTICE COMMITTEE VOTE ON BILL C-9

On March 11, 2026, the Justice Committee (Committee) met to vote on the final version of Bill C-9 before it proceeds to the report stage in the House of Commons. Following the recent order to eliminate ongoing debates on Bill C-9, the Chair of the Committee must report Bill C-9 back to the House of Commons by March 13, 2026.

A reprinted version of Bill C-9 will be released shortly, and CCCC will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. Of particular concern, the Committee voted to repeal the good faith religious defence in section 319(3)(b) of the Criminal Code.

This development is deeply troubling. CCCC has previously written about the potential impact this change could have on Canadians’ constitutional rights. We encourage members to reach out to their local MPs about their concerns regarding Bill C-9 using the resources we have shared in our previous blogs.

UPDATE (March 11, 2026) – VOTE TO END DEBATE

On March 10, 2026, Members of Parliament voted in favour of ending ongoing debates on Bill C-9. The vote directed the Justice Committee (Committee) to conclude debate and proceed with the expedited consideration of Bill C-9 following the recent motion introduced by the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.

The motion was accompanied by debate in the House of Commons on the intended purpose of Bill C-9, as well as criticisms raised by various Members of Parliament. The Justice Committee is scheduled to consider Bill C-9 at its meeting on March 11, 2026. In accordance with the motion, the Chair of the Committee must report Bill C-9 back to the House of Commons by March 13, 2026.

While CCCC continues to support appropriate measures to address hatred and discrimination, the removal of the good-faith religious defence in Bill C-9 is concerning. We have followed up with the Minister of Justice to reiterate the importance of maintaining the good-faith religious defence. CCCC has also urged government to reopen debate on Bill C-9 and meaningfully engage with religious leaders before moving forward. CCCC will continue to monitor the progress of Bill C-9 and provide updates on this blog.

Motion to End Debate

On March 9, 2026, Members of Parliament will vote on a motion that would end the ongoing debates on Bill C-9. If adopted, the motion will eliminate ongoing discussion of concerns about Bill C-9 during the Justice Committee’s (“Committee’s”) review process.

The ongoing debate in the House of Commons has prompted the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons to introduce a motion directing the Committee to:

1. Prioritize Bill C-9 above all other Committee business; ;
2. Resume section-by-section consideration of Bill C-9 at the next Committee meeting;
3. Cease further debates about Bill C-9. The Committee would immediately vote on each section and amendment.   The meeting would continue until the Committee completed its review of Bill C-9; and
4. Have the Chair of the Committee report Bill C-9 to the House of Commons within two sitting days after the review.

The motion establishes strict timelines for the Committee’s consideration of Bill C-9  in order to move it through the legislative process. The purpose of this Motion was to end ongoing debates and quickly allow for the passage of Bill C-9 into law.

CCCC has published our concerns about Bill C-9 in recent blogs and has written to the Justice Committee on the potential impact Bill C-9 would have on the freedom of expression. As Bill C-9 is currently drafted, CCCC recognizes that the term “hatred” is subject to broad interpretation. This may lead to inconsistent and subjective application if Bill C-9 became law. We are also concerned about proposals to remove the good-faith religious defence to hate speech allegations and intend to follow up with the Minister of Justice on our position.

Proposed Amendments to Bill C-9

Most recently, debate at the Committee has centered around proposed amendments, from both supporters and opponents of the Bill. Committee Members of the Justice Committee who are generally supportive of the legislation have proposed an amendment to the Bill.

Critics of this amendment see the reasoning as circular – your religious communication is not hate propaganda if it does not wilfully promote hatred – and don’t agree that it actually provides any more certainty. In response, then, those critics proposed further amendments (indicated in “strikethrough” text):

11.1(1) For greater certainty, nothing in subsection 319(2) or (2.2) of the Criminal Code shall be construed as prohibiting a person from communicating a statement on a matter of public interest, including an educational, religious, political or scientific statement made in the course of a discussion, publication or debate, if they do not wilfully promote hatred against an identifiable group by communicating the statement.

(2) For greater certainty, nothing in subsection 319(2.1) of the Criminal Code shall be construed as prohibiting a person from communicating a statement on a matter of public interest, including an educational, religious, political or scientific statement made in the course of a discussion, publication or debate, if they do not wilfully promote antisemitism by condoning, denying or downplaying the Holocaust.

C-9 Rally in Ottawa

The Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) Canada is organizing a rally on Parliament Hill to raise awareness of the impact of Bill C-9 on Thursday March 12, 2026. Please visit ARPA’s website for further details.

We encourage members to reach out to their local MPs about their concerns regarding Bill C-9 using the resources we have shared in our previous blogs.

CCCC will write a follow up letter to the Minister of Justice about our concerns over Bill C-9, and we will be sure to share any important updates on the progress of Bill C-9 here on our blog.

The post Bill C-9: Motion to End Ongoing Debates appeared first on CCCC Blogs.

Parliamentary Committee Expressed Concerns

In its most recent, January 2024, report (the “Report”), the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying (“AMAD”) reviewed the proposed expansion of MAID MD-SUMC. AMAD identified several areas that require attention before Bill C-62 becomes law. The Report outlined what must be in place before Canada can expand MAID, including:

• clear practice standards,
• training and professional development, and
• oversight

AMAD also highlighted several significant and ongoing concerns about the expansion of MAID MD-SUMC, including:

• the difficulty distinguishing MAID requests from suicidality,
• inadequate safeguards to protect vulnerable groups, and
• a lack of trained medical practitioners.  

Health Canada’s Response

The Department of Health responded to the Report (the “Response”), noting that a Joint Committee of Parliament needed to be established by February 28, 2026 to review the eligibility of MAID MD-SUMC prior to its proposed implementation on March 17, 2027.

According to Health Canada, the delay in Bill C-62 was intended to provide additional preparation time to train practitioners, implement standards and oversight mechanisms, and re-establish AMAD to conduct a comprehensive review of readiness for MAID MD- SUMC. The Response indicated the following consultations would occur in preparation for the March 2027 expansion:

• Ongoing support, training, guidance and resources for practitioners assessing complex MAID cases, including those involving mental illness;
• Engagement of First Nations, Inuit and Metis populations, as well as other key stakeholder groups;
• Further work to explore models of case review and quality improvement in MAID delivery; and
• Undertake research that will provide insights into the reasons why people seek MAID and the views and experiences of MAID among key populations.

During the current session of Parliament, AMAD has not conducted any studies or activities, nor published any reports or issued any news releases.

Concerns over MAID Expansion

CCCC has previously published blogs and developed resources for Members to understand why the rapid expansion of MAID including for MD-SUMC is so troubling.

Data from Statistics Canada shows that 10.4% of Canadians over the age of 15 years have experienced a mental health-related disability. Canadians accessing mental health care face long wait times and stigma when seeking support. The prevalence of mental disorders is increasing, with over 5 million Canadians meeting diagnostic criteria for mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders in 2022.  

At the same time, MAID is increasing in Canada. Health Canada’s 2025 Annual Report on MAID in Canada reports that 16,499 people received MAID in 2024. Approximately half of those who died by MAID reported asking for MAID because they felt like a burden to their families, friends, or caregivers. In 2022, Quebec surpassed the Netherlands in the highest number of deaths per capita due to MAID.

International Criticism

Canada has faced harsh criticism from the United Nations regarding the expansion of MAID to those with mental illnesses and for mature minors.  In the Concluding observations on the combined second and third periodic reports of Canada, the UN:

• Called on Canada to repeal Track 2 MAID for those whose deaths are not reasonably foreseeable
• Objected to expansion for mental illness
• Objected to expansion for mature minors
• Objected to expansion to advance directives
• Urged Canada to establish an oversight mechanism for independent monitoring and to handle complaints

The UN report further identified the need for Canada to invest in and implement comprehensive measures to address systemic factors relating to social detriments of health, including poverty relief, homelessness prevention, and community-based mental health support.

CCCC Advocacy

CCCC continues to advocate against the expansion of MAID, and has been granted status as an intervenor in court case about whether religious healthcare institutions are obliged to euthanize patients.  CCCC is joined by other organizations in combatting the expansion of MAID by supporting the dignity for all and the protection of the vulnerable.

CCCC is encouraged by Bill C-218, a private member’s Bill which would amend the Criminal Code to expressly exclude a mental disorder from a “grievous and irremediable medical condition” and prohibit the expansion of MAID MD-SUMC.

What You Can Do

If you or your organization are concerned with the expansion of MAID MD-SUMC, our friends at EFC have created resources to help explain the importance of Bill C-218 and how to speak to your MP about the dangers of ongoing MAID expansion.

We’re Here to Help

If you have questions or would like support, please contact our Member Support Team by phone or email.

The post One Year Until MAID Expands for Mental Illness: What You Need to Know appeared first on CCCC Blogs.