The federal Finance Department in its pre-budget consultations is considering the removal of charitable status from religious organizations, specifically:
Recommendation 429: No longer provide charitable status to anti-abortion organizations.
Recommendation 430: Amend the Income Tax Act to provide a definition of a charity which would remove the privileged status of “advancement of religion” as a charitable purpose
These recommendations are contained in the PRE-BUDGET CONSULTATIONS IN ADVANCE OF THE 2025 BUDGET
Report of the Standing Committee on Finance
The Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, of which Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick is a member, has written a letter of protest to the Federal Minister of Finance.
“The Catholic charitable sector in Canada, which is anchored by and includes dioceses and parishes across the country, comprises a wide range of community services and ministries, including foodbanks, soup kitchens, refugee resettlement programs, climate and social justice programs, daycares and schools, hospitals, long-term care homes and palliative care centres, to name but a few examples. These compassionate, purpose-driven, and accessible Catholic services are available to all Canadians, regardless of religious affiliation; these charities meet essential and sometimes complex social needs within communities nationwide. A recent study found that the cost of replacing the services offered by faith congregations in Canada is $16.5 billion.1 Simply put, places of worship provide benefits to society that radiate far beyond their congregations. For “every dollar that a congregation spends, the local community receives an average of $3.39 in economic benefit.
The very existence of the kinds of Catholic charitable organizations and services listed above would be threatened by the implementation of Recommendations 429 and 430, which propose respectively to amend the Income Tax Act by no longer providing charitable status to “anti-abortion organizations” (cf. #429) and by removing “the privileged status of ‘advancement of religion’ as a charitable purpose” (cf. #430).”
Read the Full Letter:
His Eminence Frank Cardinal Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto, has also submitted a letter to the Finance Minister:
“Pope Francis has asked that in 2025, a global Jubilee Holy Year, be focused on the theme: “Pilgrims of Hope”. Sadly, our society is consumed with heart-wrenching stories of isolation, loneliness and marginalization all too close to home. Religious charitable organizations are hope personified in our communities, motivated to help others, not because of the beliefs of those who will be served but rather our own desire to provide loving care and compassion – values and virtues so deeply rooted in our religious traditions.
“The recommendation itself to strip away official charitable status from these organizations demonstrates a lack of understanding of the critical role religiously-affiliated groups offer in every corner of our nation: urban centres, rural communities and the isolated North. Aside from social service programs, places of worship are spiritual homes for hundreds of thousands of Canadians each week, relying on these havens of hope, peace and prayer to nurture their souls, promote emotional/mental well-being, strengthen their families and provide a social gathering space that reinforces community life.
“Our many and life-giving religious charities account for approximately 40% of the more than 73,000 charitable organizations registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) – removing their charitable status would have a devastating impact and send a divisive message to Canadians from your government.”
Read the Full Letter:
hon.-dominic-leblanc Cardinal Leo february-21-2025
Consider contacting your local MP to learn more of these proposed recommendations, and to share your perspective on what these changes could mean to our faith and communities.
