More organizations are taking the Trudeau government to court over its Canada Summer Jobs program that excludes anyone who won’t support abortion on demand. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau initially dismissed criticism of his insistence that groups applying for summer jobs funding had to sign an attestation that they consider “reproductive rights” integral to Canadian democracy.
Meanwhile, other organizations with controversial views continue to receive funding from Canada’s Liberal government. (RELATED: Trudeau’s Summer Jobs Program Funds Islamic Group With Radical Cleric)
But Trudeau has found himself fighting a variety of faith-based organizations and not just the pro-life groups that were initially targeted, the National Post reports. They are arguing that it is unconstitutional and a violation of freedom of religion to coerce citizens to endorse the government’s liberal abortion policy.
In keeping with Trudeau’s mantra of “diversity is our strength,” the new complainants range from a well-known evangelical outreach to an Ontario company that sells concrete and doesn’t think the government should be asking people their opinion on controversial issues.
According to government data, the program rejected 1,559 applications because those filling out the application form would not sign the attestation. Some religious groups did declare their solidarity with government policy and they got their funding.
Power to Change, formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ is challenging the policy in court. It has usually applied for 44 positions but this year is getting none because notified the federal government, “Our belief is contrary to the current government’s view on women’s reproductive rights. Our honestly held belief is protected under the Charter.”
The registered charity says that Trudeau’s insistence that funding comes through political conformity is an unnecessary intrusion into one’s belief system by doing so it is “not just blocking funding to organizations involved in fighting abortion, but also funding of organizations that do not have this mandate.”