Faith groups offer election guides to members

Like other charities in Canada, faith groups must follow Canada Revenue Agency guidelines when it comes to elections. While they can’t be involved in any partisan activities, they can encourage their members and supporters to be informed about issues and connect with candidates about them — and many groups do just that through election guides.

The guides give insight into what is important to various groups. Here are the guides that were available at press time.

Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA)

For CIJA the big issue is antisemitism. According to CIJA, there were 6,219 reported cases of hatred targeting Jews in 2024, a 7.4 per cent increase since 2023 — the highest number since records started to be kept in 1982.

Questions Canadian Jews are encouraged to ask candidates include how the different parties will help keep Jews safe from the growing wave of antisemitism and how they will hold people who threaten Jews accountable for their actions or words. They are also interested in how Canada will strengthen ties with Israel.

“This election calls on us to punch above our weight in Canadian democracy by taking meaningful actions that will make Canada a better home for all who share our values — and a place where Jewish life can continue to thrive,” CIJA stated. Find their election guide at jewishcanadavotes.ca.

Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council (CMPAC)

With the support of over 100 Muslim organizations, CMPAC is encouraging Canadian Muslims to ask candidates how Canada can uphold Palestinians’ right to self-determination and oppose ethnic cleansing and genocide.

They also want them to ask about policies that will address oppression and violations of human rights in Canada and internationally, along with how they would deal with rising Islamophobia and the affordability crisis.

“We strongly believe that every Muslim voter must be informed, engage with candidates on Gaza and key community issues, and support principled leaders — regardless of party affiliation,” CMPAC said. “This election, let’s vote with principle, not fear. Let’s shape a future where our voices truly matter.”

Find the CMPAC guide here.

Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC)

A big issue for the EFC is a finance committee recommendation to the House of Commons that the next government amend the Income Tax Act to remove the privileged status of “advancement of religion” as a charitable purpose.

With more than 30,000 charitable organizations falling under the advancement of religion, most of them Christian, this change, if adopted, “would have a far-reaching and devastating impact on religious charities,” the EFC said.

Other issues EFC supporters are asked to talk to candidates about include how the various parties will support freedom of conscience and religion in Canada; how they will protect children from access to online pornography; what legal protections they will provide for pregnant women and their unborn children; if they will stop the expansion of medical assistance in dying to people with mental illness; whether they support current prostitution laws; and what measures they would propose to care for the environment.

Find the EFC guide here.

Archdiocese of Toronto, together with the Mary Ward Centre

The Archdiocese and the Centre, a Jesuit Forum for Social Faith and Justice, has put out a guide for Canadian Catholics. It begins by noting that Catholic Social Teaching “calls us to uphold human dignity, seek the common good, and advocate for the most vulnerable in our society.” The goal, it states, should be to elect leaders who will “promote justice, peace, and care for those in need.”

Things Catholics should consider before they vote include how the different parties will uphold human dignity at every stage of life; how they will address the complex challenge of equality, income security, housing, education and food security for all; address health-care challenges and the housing crisis; provide support for refugees and other newcomers; address environmental issues; and support foreign aid.

As they go to vote, Catholics should think about creating a country that “seeks economic, social, and environmental balance while advocating for equity, dignity, and justice,” and that prioritizes the needs of the poor and vulnerable, the guide says. Find the guide here.

Sikh Federation of Canada

The federation is focused on anti-Sikh hate, protecting Canadian civil liberties, foreign interference in elections and “Indian-orchestrated violence in Canada.”

Find more information here.

Canadian Council of Churches (CCC)

For the CCC, which represents 26 denominations in Canada, the issues voters should keep in mind this election include reconciliation with Indigenous peoples; rejecting racism; poverty, homelessness and economic inequality; climate change; peace and disarmament; ending sexual exploitation; alternative ways of dealing with crime and criminals beyond incarceration; refugee rights; health care; religious freedom; and ethical AI Regulation.

“As followers of Christ, we are called to be salt and light in the world — preserving what is good, illuminating the path of justice, and bearing witness to God’s love and truth,” the Council says. Find their guide here.

Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB)

The CFGB, headquartered in Winnipeg, is asking supporters to ask candidates how their parties will ensure Canada contributes its fair share to international development, how they will address the climate crisis and how they will build peace and stability in the world. Find their guide here.

Development and Peace — Caritas Canada

The relief and development arm of the Roman Catholic Church in Canada is encouraging Catholics to ask candidates if they will commit to increasing Canada’s foreign aid, to addressing climate change and to promoting peace and international co-operation to lessen conflict around the world. Find their guide here.

Looking at the guides, it’s interesting to see how many issues are of concern to faith groups; they aren’t just concerned about spiritual matters. It’s also interesting to see how little crossover there is; the only issues that come up more than once from the groups are foreign aid, religious freedom, sexual exploitation and climate change.

And one thing that didn’t come up at all? Donald Trump, tariffs and the trade war — the main thing on the minds of Canadians during this election.

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