Religious Freedom in Canada

 November 22nd, 2017 A number of organizations and churches have declared Sunday, November 26th to be a day set apart to pray for religious freedom in Canada and particularly for the successful resolution of the Trinity Western University (TWU) case, which has implications for the future of religious freedom of us all in Canada.The TWU law case began in 2014 when law societies in three provinces across Canada denied accreditation to TWU's proposed law school; British Columbia, Ontario, and Nova Scotia. The reason was that the school requires students to sign a community covenant agreement which includes a commitment to reserve sexual intimacy to the marriage of one man and one woman.Legal challenges ensued in the three provinces with TWU going up against the provincial law societies. Provincial courts ruled in favour of TWU in two of the three cases (BC and NS) but against TWU in its case against Ontario's Law Society of Upper Canada. Since then, two of the decisions were appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada (one for and one against TWU).The two cases will be heard on November 30th and December 1st at the Supreme Court of Canada.This case will have widespread implications for Christians and religious groups and institutions all across Canada. It could affect the accreditation and recognition of religious institutions, the freedom of religious institutions to maintain their religious character, purpose and mandate, and the future of professional training programs run by Christian instructors (law schools, teachers' colleges, elementary schools, etc.).

Will You Join Us in Praying for TWU and Religious Freedom in Canada on November 26th?

Please Pray:▪ For our leaders; for wisdom and insight for the judges, lawyers and interveners on both sides in the TWU case. ▪ For the provincial and federal governments of Canada; that they would know God’s wisdom and govern with insight and compassion for all the citizens of Canada. ▪ For the churches of Canada; that we would be compassionate and godly citizens representing Jesus Christ well, even as our country changes around us. ▪ That 1) the Supreme Court of Canada will rule that there is no valid reason that TWU law schools should not be accredited, and 2) that the precedent that is set will be one for religious freedom in Canada. ▪For our leaders; for wisdom and insight for the judges, lawyers and interveners on both sides in the TWU case.▪For the provincial and federal governments of Canada; that they would know God’s wisdom and govern with insight and compassion for all the citizens of Canada.▪For the churches of Canada; that we would be compassionate and godly citizens representing Jesus Christ well, even as our country changes around us.▪That 1) the Supreme Court of Canada will rule that there is no valid reason that TWU law schools should not be accredited, and 2) that the precedent that is set will be one for religious freedom in Canada.