Letter to editor: Clarifying inaccuracies in prison chaplaincy

"false and misleading report from the CBC"

October 10, 2012 | Web First
Vic Toews, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of Public Safety | Government of Canada

I wanted to clarify some inaccurate information published in Ron Csillag’s article “Canada cuts all non-Christian prison chaplains” regarding the Government of Canada’s policy on spiritual services for prisoners.

Rather than being based in fact, the arguments noted are based on a false and misleading report from the CBC. The fact is that the Government of Canada strongly supports the freedom of religion of all Canadians.



The Government of Canada funds full-time spiritual advisors to provide spiritual services to prisoners. These advisors can be of any faith and will make themselves available to provide spiritual advice to the general offender population. Additionally, there are over 2500 individuals who provide spiritual services to prisoners of many faiths on a voluntary basis.

This approach supports the freedom of religion of prisoners while ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used wisely and appropriately.

--Oct. 10, 2012

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