PM, faith leaders weigh definition of essential services

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Should places of worship be considered essential services amidst the COVID-19 pandemic?

The question was posed Thursday to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during an hour-long online conversation with Canadian faith leaders.

The virtual gathering was organized at the request of the Prime Minister’s Office by the Canadian Council of Churches, Canadian Interfaith Conversation, and Canadian Multifaith Federation.

More than 350 faith leaders participated, including about 10 from Manitoba.

The question about whether faith groups are an essential service came from Pandit Roopnauth Sharma of the Hindu Federation of Canada and a member of the CMF.

Noting faith communities are involved in supporting people “from the cradle to the grave” in many different ways, from spiritual support to meeting practical needs, he said: “I find it very difficult to accept we are not considered an essential service.”

Sharma added the CMF is launching an initiative to “change this situation,” with the hope government would give it “serious consideration.”

In response, Trudeau said: “Very little is more essential than the fundamental well-being of an individual within a community.”

He promised to take a careful look at the proposal, adding: “We have seen how many things feel essential haven’t qualified as essential in the past.”

There always “have to be lines drawn,” the prime minister said. “(But) the way faith leaders and faith communities have been able to pull together in this difficult time and be there for people despite very difficult restrictions… for me, demonstrates just how essential it is what you offer to people, and how essential it is for people to receive them.”

The challenge, he said, is “how we translate that into practice.”

Other concerns and ideas from the Christian, Indigenous, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish and Ba’hai, and other communities on the meeting included the impact of the pandemic on rural congregations and racial communities, and the increasing isolation and loneliness of older Canadians.

“We know the pandemic hasn’t hit everyone equally,” said Trudeau, acknowledging it is a challenge to help those who “consistently fall between the cracks.”

That’s where faith communities have been so important, he said, “to see everyone and to reach everyone.”

Other issues raised included whether to increase the tax benefit on charitable donations during the pandemic to encourage more giving to charity, the idea of a guaranteed livable income, and how to address structural inequalities that adversely affect poor and marginalized people in Canada.

No questions were raised about lifting restrictions on religious gatherings.

The prime minister praised the faith community in Canada for how it was reaching out to help during the pandemic, noting faith groups are “always ready to step up for the most vulnerable.”

During this time when many Canadians are experiencing a “a crisis of hope,” the faith community is providing “encouragement and comfort,” he said.

Trudeau added he was grateful as faith groups work to keep congregants safe through the wearing of face masks, physical distancing, and other COVID-19 recommendations.

These messages are important, he said, especially as people are increasingly “tired and frustrated by what life is throwing at them right now.”

They need to be encouraged by faith leaders “to stay the course,” the prime minister said, and to think about the “bigger picture, the long term, to think of good towards others, and make those sacrifices in order to get through this in the best possible way.”

On a personal note, Trudeau said he “doesn’t talk about it much,” but for him “faith has always been an important part of what has helped me focus and motivate me. I feel called to service.”

Faith “has always been a part of who I am as a person and a leader,” he said. 

He thanked the group “for keeping me, and all those who serve their country, in your prayers.”

 

faith@freepress.mb.ca

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