Lack of Freedom Up North

For John, BLUF:  Those Canadians are wonderful people, but they don't have a real Bill of Rights.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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A church's 'core mandate' must be pro-choice to access summer jobs grant: minister

Here is the sub-headline:

Groups opposing the move point out the Charter also protects the freedom of expression and freedom of religion

Actually, I didn't think Canada had a Free Speech Rule.

So, this is from The Ottawa Citizen (Canada), by Mr Brian Platt, 12 January 2018.

Here is the lede:

Canada’s employment minister says churches and other religious groups are eligible for a federal grant to hire summer students as long as their core mandate agrees with access to abortion.

Then these four paragraphs follow:

However, it remains unclear what exactly counts as a core mandate.

The new attestation on the Canada Summer Jobs grant was aimed at anti-abortion groups, but Catholic, evangelical and other religious organizations are arguing it’s unprecedented, unfair and possibly illegal to be forced to attest to their views on abortion while applying.  They also worry this attestation will start being required for other government grants and programs.

Speaking at a cabinet retreat in London, Ont., Employment Minister Patty Hajdu said she’s comfortable with the attestation, which requires applicants to check a box saying they have a core mandate that respects “reproductive rights.”  The online application can’t be submitted unless the box is checked.

“In terms of church groups that are concerned that this may invalidate them from funding, in fact, my perspective is that it won’t, as long as their core mandate agrees with those hard won rights and freedoms that Canadians expect us to stand up for,” she said.

This is how one gets underground religious movements.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff