News

Policy Worse Than Feared

OTTAWA, November 22, 2001 (LSN.ca) – Stockwell Day, Leader of the Opposition, rebuked the recently revised military policy banning military chaplains from using specifically Christian references in public worship services. In comments in the House of Commons Wednesday, the Canadian Alliance leader called the new policy “political correctness gone crazy.”

He explained that “it is not the role of government to promote a particular religion nor is it the role of government to stand against a particular religion.” Day said, “This continues a disturbing trend we saw at the Swissair memorial, where the government said the name of Christ was not to be mentioned in prayers, and in fact on Parliament Hill in the memorial for September 11 when prayer was banned altogether.” He called on the Prime Minister to “please reassure Christians and all religions that the government will stop its attack.”

LifeSite interviewed Padre Eric Reynolds of the Chaplain General’s office in Ottawa regarding the new policy on “inclusiveness”. Padre Reynolds confirmed that beyond discriminating against Christianity the policy would even hamper expressions of Jewish and Muslim faith. Padre Reynolds confirmed that the term “Father” in reference to God could be seen as problematic and said alternatives such as “God or Creator” should be used. Ironically, he said the objective was to try to be “as inclusive as possible.”

For more see LifeSite’s former coverage:  https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2001/nov/011116.html#2

See Stockwell Day’s comments from Hansard at: https://www.parl.gc.ca/37/1/parlbus/chambus/house/debates/115_2001-11-20/HAN115-E.htm#Int-84780