There's been a lot of news lately about the federal government's change to the Canada Summer Jobs Grant program. The biggest issue is the new addition of a mandatory attestation that states that: 

"Both the job and my organization's core mandate respect the individual human rights in Canada, including the values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as other rights. These include reproductive rights and the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, race, national or ethnic origin, colour, mental or physical disability or sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression;"

As our mission statement says, Birch Bay Ranch exists to provide a natural and nurturing environment in which people encounter God and experience positive life change. It is our mandate to introduce kids and adults to Christ while offering life changing experiences and opportunities for adventure. We follow Biblical teachings in all that we do, and therefore feel that we can't sign the attestation in good conscience. As a result, we were denied the Canada Summer Jobs funding this year. Not receiving this money will adversely affect our staff (the majority of which are students) and may affect our programming. 

To further explain, here is an informative article

by the Canadian Council of Christian Charities.

The Canada Summer Jobs Grant is still being discussed at the House of Commons. With all the opposition to the requirement to sign the attestation, a vote has been called asking the government to reverse the attestation policy.

THE VOTE WILL BE HELD MARCH 19, 2018

YOU CAN DO TWO THINGS:

1.  Contact your MP and ask them to vote "In favour of the motion to reverse the attestation policy". (Not sure who your MP is?  Find your MP) This does not need to be lengthy or detailed.

 Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms FirstName, Lastname, MP, House of Commons

Dear Mr. Lastname:

I am writing in regards to the Canada Summer Jobs Grant. I understand that there is a motion on the floor to reverse the attestation policy. On March 19, 2018, I am asking you to vote in favour of the motion to reverse the attestation policy.

Sincerely
Your Name
Email address

2.  Encourage your staff, volunteers, alumni, board, campers parents, etc to contact their MPs and ask them to vote "in favour of the motion to reverse the attestation policy". 

Please help us spread the word about this vote - it's important for Birch Bay Ranch and for Christian camps across the country to receive this funding! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.