Dear Editor:
I understand that on March 19, Members of Parliament will vote on a motion in the House of Commons on the Canada Summer Jobs Program.
This motion says that organizations that are engaged in non-political, non-activist work should be able to access summer student funding regardless of their private convictions, and whether or not they sign the application attestation.
I agree, and I am writing to you to ask you to support this motion when you are called to vote.
Individuals and organizations should not be forced to make an attestation of values in order to be eligible for a government program or service. I believe this requirement fails to respect freedom of belief and expression in Canada, and in fact violates these fundamental freedoms.
What will we have to agree to next in order to access government funding. This could apply to all segments of society not just religious ones. This is a slippery slope Dan.
Please uphold the Charter guarantees of freedom of religion, belief, expression and opinion. These are fundamental freedoms for our country. Please let me know whether you will support the motion and what steps you are taking to change the Canada Summer Jobs attestation.
I would hope we still live in a democracy.
Bob Carter
Summerland