Diocese of London&#039;s Statement re changes to Canada Summer Jobs funding

January 22, 2018

A statement from the Diocese of London appears in part in this London Free Press Article: http://www.lfpress.com/2018/01/21/churches-in-principles-versus-cash-dilemma

Here is our statement in full:

The Diocese of London recently learned about changes to the Canada Summer jobs program. These changes affect our ability to apply for summer job grants in good conscience. The federal government’s new requirement to make an “attestation” directly conflicts with the rights of freedom of religion and conscience, which are enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and supported in case law. In our view, the changes undermine religious freedom by directly limiting the right of Canadian religious groups to hold, teach and practice their principles and values in public. In practical terms, this could mean consequences such as summer camps being cancelled, charitable services reduced, and, sadly, young people missing out on the very opportunities and experiences that the summer jobs program was intended to provide them.

For more information and resources, please click here: https://dol.ca/summer-jobs