Consider the Following: Should views on charter freedoms Impact federal government funding? The Canadian Summer Jobs Program offers a great example of an ethical dilemma. Each and every summer thousands of corporations and not-for-profit firms, including many charitable groups such as churches, receive funding from the federal government to employ students during the summer months. Students earn valuable experience and much-needed income, and the organizations receive grants to offset the cost of labour. The program is considered a win-win-win for students, employers and government. In 2017 and 2018, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government amended the application process and asked all applicants to confirm they supported all rights protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, including a woman's right to have an abortion and rights associated with the LGBT community. Trudeau argued that church and not-for-profit groups would be eligible as long as they acknowledged support for people's rights as outlined in the Charter. He stated that certain groups, those fighting against Charter freedoms, should not receive government money. Trudeau stated. "..there are certain groups that are specifically dedicated to fighting abortion rights for women and rights for LGBT communities and that is wrong, that is certainly not something the federal government should be funding: to roll back the clock on women's rights." The federal government's decision was highly criticized by church and anti-abortion groups, and was even discussed on Fox News in the U.S. In 2019, the federal government made an amendment to the application process. Church and charity groups do not have to attest they support all aspects of the Charter but they do have to clarify that the jobs that are being funded will not interfere with people's rights and freedoms. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Was the government's requirement that groups state they supported all aspects of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in order to receive government funding ethical? What are some of the pros and cons of his decision? 2. Do you think the government was right to change the application and approval process to focus on the activities of the jobs and not the beliefs of the organizations applying for funding