April 1st, 2015

Yesterday MP James Lunney made a courageous move to become an independent MP in the House of Commons so that he can speak his Christian views openly without it creating any drama for the Conservative Party.

Lunney's decision came after he made a personal statement on his twitter feed reflecting his beliefs. This statement triggered a flurry of hostile tweets back to Lunney.

In a statement explaining his decision to leave the Conservative Caucus Lunney explained, "My remarks [on Twitter] were inflated by media, blended with other unrelated but alleged heretical statements and became a top story on national media creating a firestorm of criticism and condemnation...Today I am announcing that I have asked the speaker to assign me a seat as an independent MP. I will seek an opportunity to address the House in defence of my beliefs and the concerns of my faith community....Given the circling trolls, I do not intend to entangle the most multi-racial, multicultural and multi-faith caucus in parliamentary history in my decision to defend my beliefs."

To read Dr. Lunney's full announcement please click here.

Today, after question period, Dr. Lunney is expected to make a statement about all this in the House of Commons. (Please keep him in prayer as he does this.)

Dr. Lunney was not planning on running in the upcoming federal election and will use his remaining time in Parliament to be a voice on the important issue of freedom of speech and conscience.

We applaud Dr. Lunney's principled move and believe he deserves the full support of the Christian community in Canada. Please join us in standing with Dr. Lunney as he takes a stand for the right to believe what he believes as a Christian in Canada. (See the action points below.)

See Links Below For More Information:

B.C. MP James Lunney leaving Conservative caucus

B.C. MP James Lunney leaves Tory caucus to defend 'religious freedom'

Action Points To Support Mr. Lunney:

The Prime Minister's e-mail is: pm@pm.gc.ca

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario recently adopted a policy that requires physicians to refer patients for medical services that they refuse to perform themselves due to their moral values or fundamental beliefs. In emergency situations, the physicians would be required to perform the procedure themselves. Such procedures would include referring for abortions, physician-assisted suicide, genetic testing and others. Refusal to follow this policy could lead to disciplinary action including revocation of their medical license.

A similar policy is looking to be adopted by the province of Saskatchewan. See article here.

The college received more than 16,000 responses during a public consultation period, with a mass majority opposing the referral requirement but still in a vote of 21-3 the policy was put in to place on March 6th.

Christian medical professionals in Ontario are challenging the policy on the basis that it goes against their fundamental rights which are protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Such fundamental rights include freedom of conscience and freedom of religion. Christian doctors state that "the obligation to provide an “effective referral” that will ultimately facilitate a procedure they object to on religious grounds is “unconscionable.”

See Links Below For More Information:

CBC News: Doctors make charter challenge on right to refuse care on religious grounds

Christian doctors’ group says new college policy infringes on freedom of conscience

See below for actions points that you can take to help in fighting for the fundamental rights of physicians in Canada.

ACTION POINTS

1. SHARE: Share this information with your family and friends by posting this email on your social media networks. Click here for the online version.

2. GET INFORMED: You can read the newly implemented Professional Obligations and Human Rights policy here.

3. EMAIL OR PHONE: Contact the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and express your concerns with this newly implemented policy. Let them know that you feel this is infringing upon the fundamental rights and freedoms of physicians in Ontario.

Email: Request this email be forwarded to college President Dr. Carol Leet. feedback@cpso.on.ca

Phone Dr. Carol Leet: (416)967-2600 ext 406

4. PRAY: Pray that the Freedom of Conscience and Religion for physicians in Canada would be upheld and protected.

In May a group from our Back to Life Walkers team will go on another important mission to Cambodia. On this mission trip they will do outreach in the slums, conduct pro-life teaching seminars, host a banquet for prostitutes, share the gospel and more. The whole heart of the mission is to contend for LIFE - the lives of women and children at risk of being exploited in the s-x trade and the lives of the vulnerable unborn.

This trip will build upon the work of last year's team. We are still hearing reports of lives that were saved (literally) and forever transformed by the love the team showed and the message of life.

We would like to invite you to stand with the team this year by sowing financially. All of the funds received will go directly to the work.

Click here to donate to Cambodia.

These donations are tax deductible.