Exodus Affiliate in Canada Targeted for Loss of Tax-Exempt Status

A few months back this blog noted with approval that the New Zealand's Charities Commission had declined a request from Exodus for renewed registration as a charitable entity. The Commission rather bluntly stated that it found nothing charitable or educational in Exodus' discredited propaganda and programs marketing the myth that sexual orientation can be changed. Now, Canada may be poised to take a similar step - something that the USA ought to do as well since all LEGITIMATE mental health and medical associations condemn Exodus' reparative therapy "ministries" as unethical. Of course, such a move would require that the IRS cease giving special rights to Christianist organizations - something the Liar-in-Chief lacks the backbone to direct. Here are highlights from CBC News on Exodus' hopefully losing battle north of our border:
*
An international religious group that claims to help men and women "overcome" their homosexuality is generating controversy because of its charitable status in Canada. . . . "Our issue is that they purport to be able to cure homosexuality. Homosexuality is not an mental illness," said Matthew McLauchlin, co-chair of the federal NDP's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Committee.
*
"If all we were talking about was promoting a certain religious view of homosexuality we wouldn't be having this conversation," he said. "They are promoting something that's directly against the public interest." McLauchlin, who ran for the NDP in three federal elections, said the Quebec wing of the NDP unanimously adopted a position to strip the organization of its charitable status at a convention in Gatineau on Nov. 20.
*
"It can issue tax receipts for donations, but in our opinion it violates provisions of the Canada Revenue Agency that says that registered charities must offer a tangible public benefit," said McLauchlin. Dr. Karine Igartua, the director of emergency psychiatric services at the Montreal University Health Centre, worries that the type of counselling offered by Exodus may do more harm than good.
*
A CRA spokesperson sent an email explaining how organizations obtain charitable status but declined a request for an interview, citing Section 241 of the Income Tax Act which "precludes the CRA from discussing the particular affairs of a registered charity."