In a letter being sent to all 225 churches in the archdiocese June 21, Cardinal Thomas Collins encourages people to write their Member of Parliament about the attestation and also to donate to a program designed to aid organizations that were denied government funding because they refused to endorse the attestation supporting the government’s position on gender and reproductive rights, including abortion.

In his letter, Collins said at least 150 summer jobs have been “jeopardized” by the new rules for the summer jobs funding application, including a summer camp for deaf children and jobs for developmentally challenged youth.

“We should all take note when a government claims to value the contributions of faith communities but requires them to profess a set of values which is against their faith in order to be eligible for government funding,” wrote Collins.

“The government must abide by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in its treatment of law-abiding individuals and groups.”

Collins encourages parishioners in the Toronto archdiocese to support groups denied funding by contributing to special parish collections or making a donation online. People can write a letter directly to their MP through www.savesummerjobs.ca.

“Respectful communication regarding this unjust policy is very important,” said Collins, who is personally writing to Toronto-area MPs in ridings where Catholic organizations are affected.

The attestation policy impacts 27 charitable organizations in the Archdiocese of Toronto, accounting for $1.1 million in funding for 150 summer jobs, said a statement from the archdiocese.

Employment Minister Patty Hajdu has defended the attestation policy, saying it was in response to complaints last year funding was given to several groups which distributed anti-abortion pamphlets and would not hire people from LGBTQ community.