Which of the following statements is true? Canada’s national sport is hockey. Canada has a constitutional right to abortion. Canada is a secular nation with separation of church and state. Trick question. They’re all false. Mistaken beliefs about Canada abound.…
New York Times columnist Ross Douthat made a plea April 15 “that many of this newspaper’s secular liberal readers should head en masse to church.” The conservative Catholic (who delivered the Laing Lectures at Regent College in 2014) urged them to return…
The Angus Reid Institute has just introduced a new study which suggests that Canadians are becoming increasingly comfortable with a range of religious expressions. Following is the introduction to their April 4 release, which highlights results of their polling: While a…
Veteran pollster Angus Reid used results of recent research to encourage people of faith to exercise good communication skills, link together across the faith spectrum and exercise leadership rooted in hope, when he delivered the annual Carr Lecture in the…
I have mentioned the work done by Cardus, a Christian think tank based in Ontario, quite often over the past few years. They are moving ahead on several fronts. They conduct original research in six areas: education, family, health, law,…
A new Angus Reid Institute poll shows that Canadians are divided about the proper role of religion in the public square. Faith and Religion in Public Life is the latest installment of a year-long partnership with Faith in Canada 150, which…
This comment first appeared in the April issue of the Tamarack Institute’s online magazine Engage! The Tamarack Institute highlights research and stories which encourage community change and help to end poverty. One of the significant challenges that community development faces today…
When Trevor Vanderveen pointed out earlier this year that the Grandview-Woodland Community Plan had overlooked places of worship and their role in the community, city planners and politicians not only listened, they added to the plan. Rather than treating it as…
Brian Harskamp wrote this comment July 4, pointing out some misconceptions in a recent column by CBC Radio (On the Coast) host Stephen Quinn. Dear Mr. Quinn, My name is Brian Harskamp and I am one of the kids who…
A new book and a just-released study offer some fascinating insights into the positive role of religion in Toronto – and suggest some avenues for exploring the role and value of local congregations in Vancouver. Revisiting ‘Toronto the Good’ demonstrates…