A step toward greater transparency from “crisis pregnancy centres”
Publisher: In-Sight Publishing
Publisher Founding: September 1, 2014
Publisher Location: Fort Langley, Township of Langley, British Columbia, Canada
Publication: Freethought Newswire
Original Link: https://www.bchumanist.ca/a_step_toward_greater_transparency_from_crisis_pregnancy_centres
Publication Date: October 30, 2024
Organization: British Columbia Humanist Association
Organization Description: The British Columbia Humanist Association has been providing a community and voice for Humanists, atheists, agnostics, and the non-religious of Metro Vancouver and British Columbia since 1982. We support the growth of Humanist communities across BC, provide Humanist ceremonies, and campaign for progressive and secular values.
The BC Humanist Association (BCHA) is joining reproductive justice advocates in lauding an announcement by the federal government to require greater transparency from so-called “crisis pregnancy centres” (CPCs). This move is a significant step towards ensuring that organizations promoting harmful and misleading information about reproductive health cannot exploit charitable tax benefits.
Specifically, the amendments will require any registered charity that provides reproductive health services to disclose if it does not provide or refer for abortion or birth control services.
“By preventing organizations that spread misinformation and undermine reproductive health from gaining charitable status, the government is taking a crucial step towards protecting the well-being and autonomy of individuals,” said BCHA Executive Director Ian Bushfield.
In 2023, the BCHA co-authored a study into the websites of anti-choice CPCs. We found that nearly all had charitable tax status and over one-third lacked disclosures that they did not disclose their opposition to abortion or contraceptives. Three-quarters showed evidence of a religious agenda.
These new tools would permit the Canada Revenue Agency to strip the charitable status of agencies run afoul of the rules.
Unfortunately, the proposed bill will not proceed until MPs resolve an ongoing impasse over privilege motions that have shutdown the work of the House of Commons.
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