RCAAN September 2025 Update
Greetings RCAAN,
It’s time again for our monthly update. It always seems that the weeks go by so quickly, yet when I reflect on all that has happened since the last update, it is an understatement to say, “much has changed”. I believe this underscores the importance of RCAAN and the work we do. Thank you for your part in increasing your awareness of things happening around us and moving into the action that is most appropriate for you.
This morning, I read an article which included these words:
Today 343 MPs take their seats in the House of Commons to focus on matters that affect every one of us. Next Tuesday, 101 Senators take their seats in the Senate (4 seats currently vacant) to give “sober second thought” to legislation originating in the Commons and on occasion to initiate legislation of their own. Upon the shoulders of 448 Parliamentarians rests the security of the nation and the well-being of its citizens, supplemented by provincial and municipal levels of government. The decisions they make, the legislation they pass, and the programs they initiate will impact all of us.
It's an incredible, sometimes overwhelming, responsibility, and one that every one of them takes seriously. The challenges and complexities that politicians are attempting to address have changed significantly over the years – how many of us even remember the major challenges of a decade ago?
To say that change is happening with unprecedented speed seems an understatement. This is impacting individuals in every sector across the nation and throughout the world in a variety of ways including anxiety, a continuing state of uncertainty, not knowing who and what to trust, among other manifestations. For politicians at every level of government, the challenge of developing policies and legislation that will address the needs, complexity and expectations of our times is beyond what most can imagine.
This is why we encourage all our members and followers to get involved in every level of civic government. Establish relationships with those who are representing you. Help them to understand your needs and desires, and assist them in the difficult task that they have accepted.
Here are a few items to which we want to draw your attention and call to action:
Status of Religious Charities (this is a repeat of an item from the August update)
Before Parliament was dissolved for the federal election last April, the current federal government was considering removing charitable status from religious organizations. The Standing Committee on Finance of the Federal Government made the following recommendations, which are still in place and may be put forward when the new budget is debated this fall:
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.
https://www.ourcommons.ca/documentviewer/en/44-1/FINA/report-21/page-69:
The impact of losing charitable status is huge! Once registration has been terminated, the revoked charity:
cannot issue official donation receipts for gifts it receives
no longer qualifies for exemption from income tax as a registered charity
must transfer all remaining property to an eligible donee, or be subject to a revocation tax equivalent to the property's full value
will have its name and the reason for its revocation posted in the Canada Gazette and online in the List of charities
will no longer be a charity or public institution for GST/HST purposes which could affect the tax status of its supplies, the way it calculates its net tax and its ability to claim a partial rebate for the GST/HST it pays
RCAAN is partnering with Freedom Advocate to bring together as many churches and religious charities as possible to frame a response to the federal government regarding these recommendations to ensure that they are not included in the next budget. We have invited the Executive Director of Freedom Advocate, Randy Crosson, to come to speak at our next RCAAN meeting on October 1st. More details of this meeting are given at the end of this update,
Action: - Be sure to attend this meeting
Our team has been inviting leaders from various churches and organizations to this meeting. Please join us in inviting leaders from your church or any other charity that you think could be affected by these recommendations to this meeting
Premier’s Dinner
While RCAAN is politically non-partisan, we encourage our members to be involved in the political process with the party which best represents the values RCAAN pursues. Accordingly, if that is the Sask Party, you might consider buying a ticket to the upcoming Premier’s Dinner Regina Premier’s Dinner – Thursday, October 23, 2025. RCAAN has purchased a table so that we could assure some of our members could sit together. If you are interested in purchasing a ticket from RCAAN, please contact Al Fedorak at al.fedorak@sasktel.net or 306-527-8054.
Action: consider attending and purchase a ticket or a table
Bill S-209 - Protecting Young Persons from Exposure to Pornography
The following is an update on the status of Bill S-209 provided to us by Defend Dignity.
https://defenddignity.ca/bill-s-209/
Action: Contact your MP and your Senator asking for their support of this Bill.
Bill C-218
Recently, Member of Parliament Andrew Lawton shared his personal story of nearly dying by suicide and why he is supporting Bill C-218. Click here to watch now. ARPA has provided information Bill C-218 on the issue of euthanasia and mental illness
Action: See the action bullets in the ARPA resource above
Interesting Reading:
Induced abortion and implications for long-term mental health: a cohort study of 1.2 million pregnancies
A new study focusing on abortion and mental health.
Thank you,
Al Fedorak
On behalf of the RCAAN Leadership Team