Evangelical Fellowship of Canada Issues Guidance for Christians Ahead of Federal Election - Faith & Freedom News

Ottawa— With a snap federal election scheduled for April 28, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) has stepped forward with a new brochure offering guidance for Christian voters during this pivotal political moment.

The federal election was officially announced on March 23 by the Office of the Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons. “Today, Her Excellency the Governor General, at the recommendation of the Prime Minister, issued a proclamation to dissolve the 44th Parliament. The general election will be held on Monday, April 28, 2025,” the speaker’s press release stated.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, who assumed office following the resignation of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on January 6, will lead the Liberal Party into the election. Carney’s government faces stiff competition from Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, as well as other key parties including the New Democratic Party, headed by Jagmeet Singh, and Quebec’s nationalist Bloc Québécois, led by Yves-François Blanchet. Reports indicate that the snap election was called in part to consolidate public support amidst trade tensions spurred by U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of new tariffs.

In its newly released resource, titled Faith, Voting and Political Engagement, the EFC emphasizes the critical role of prayer and thoughtful political participation for Christians. The brochure states, “When Christians vote, we actively seek the good of those around us and our country (Jer. 29:5-6). Voting is one way Christians can contribute to society and the public good.” It encourages believers to engage in public discourse and prayer, urging them to “invite God to work in the hearts and minds of all Canadians” as they prepare for the election.

Referencing Romans 15:13, the EFC’s guidance includes a call to pray for candidates, voters, elected officials, and the nation as a whole: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” The brochure goes on to detail specific prayer requests, asking for wisdom and grace for political candidates, and a deeper understanding of the citizen’s role in fostering peace, justice, and good governance.

Beyond spiritual guidance, the EFC has outlined practical advice for evangelical voters. The brochure suggests that Christians engage respectfully with candidates by asking pointed questions on key societal issues such as:

Religious Freedom: What steps will you take to support freedom of conscience and religion in Canada?
Child Protection: How will you protect children from harmful access to online pornography?
Rights of the Unborn: What legal protections for pregnant women and their unborn children do you support?
Medical Assistance in Dying: Will you stop the expansion of medical assistance in dying to people with mental illness alone, and prevent its extension to minors?
Prostitution Laws: Do you support the current laws that target the demand for paid sex?
Environmental Care: What measures do you propose to care for the environment, both nationally and globally?

Additionally, the EFC reminds church leaders of their legal obligations under Canadian electoral law. While individual church employees and members are free to participate in partisan activities in their personal capacity, churches as institutions must maintain a nonpartisan stance. Registered charities are strictly prohibited from endorsing any candidate or party during the campaign, including by distributing political literature or hosting events that favor one candidate over another. However, churches may organize nonpartisan events, such as all-candidates meetings or informational sessions on issues that align with biblical teachings, provided they do not single out any candidate or party.