Article content continued

It was largely inscrutable: Whether individual human rights in Canada “include(e) the values underlying the … Charter” is a question for judges and law professors, not for the Big Smelly Bear Bible Ranch. And to the extent it was scrutable, it was widely and logically understood as demanding organizations pledge fealty to the Charter and to an ostensible human right to abortion. Despite having no intention of advocating against abortion rights or even broaching the topic between canoe trips, archery and campfire singalongs, many religious groups — notably summer camps — quite understandably found themselves unable to sign it.

Some made up the difference for summer 2018 with outside fundraising. Some didn’t. It was a totally unnecessary drama.

The new policy certainly won’t please everyone — particularly those who want public money to campaign against abortion rights. But it is a coherent expression and enforcement of the firm, well-known and oft-articulated pro-choice position of this government. Whereas the previous policy at least arguably infringed upon Canadians’ freedom of religion, the new one certainly does not.

John Geddes of Maclean’s described the move as “a bid to make peace with faith-based groups.” That would be a good idea. You wouldn’t know it from consuming mainstream Canadian media, but according to a 2017 Angus Reid survey, 51 per cent of Canadians consider themselves either “religiously committed” or “privately faithful.” Two-thirds believe “that God or a higher power exists,” and 53 per cent that “God is active in this world.” The faithful hold very diverse views on abortion, of course, but they tend to stick together when governments disrespect any of their number.