December 18, 2017
Dear Mr. Miller, and readers,
I have just read Mr. Miller's Letter to the Editor dated Dec. 18, 2017 ("CSJ change a partisan move"). Our Member of Parliament is clearly upset with what he perceives to be a partisan approach to funding community programmes.
If this were the simple truth, if the current Liberal Government only funded programmes created by the Liberal Party, and not according to federal law, I too would be in Mr. Miller's camp.
The way I read it however, is that the government is insisting that its funding go only to organizations that offer a wide range of available services to the general public. If for example, a family planning organization, based on its personal religious and/or ethical position, did not offer information regarding the availability of legal abortion, it would not be eligible for federal funding.
Similarly, there is nothing wrong with a camp that welcomed children from Jewish families, espoused Jewish teachings, and held services on Saturday, but that camp should be funded by the Synagogue, or the parents of campers, not by the government.
Thankfully our religious freedom to affiliate, or not affiliate with a religion, is protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The 'values' Mr. Miller appears to oppose, are the laws of the land.
A true democracy must separate the teachings of religion from the laws of government.