CanadaHelps

The Lepanto Institute has received numerous requests to investigate CanadaHelps, a prominent charitable organization in Canada. Founded by Aaron Pereira, Ryan Little and Matthew Choi in 1999, CanadaHelps describes itself as “the trusted charity, informing, inspiring, and connecting charities and donors with the causes they care about. We have facilitated over $2 billion in giving.” While this appears commendable on the surface, our investigation reveals significant contradictions of Catholic moral teaching, particularly in relation to the organization’s support for initiatives that promote abortion, modernist gender ideology and even masturbation for minors. This report aims to provide a detailed analysis of CanadaHelps and its affiliations, shedding light on the problematic nature of their supported causes and partners.

Unite for Change

CanadaHelps developed and operates a funding platform called Unite for Change, an initiative purportedly aimed at empowering Canadians to address various social issues.

According to their mission statement, Unite for Change seeks to “inform, inspire, and fund change” on pressing issues. They state, “Whether you want to tackle the most pressing issues, stand up against injustice, help in times of crisis and great need, or simply get informed, we make it easy to come together and make a difference.” However, a deeper look into the activities of both Unite for Change and Cause Funds – especially their LGBTQ+ Pride Fund – raises serious ethical concerns.

LGBTQ+ Pride Fund

One of the prominent initiatives under Unite for Change is the LGBTQ+ Pride Fund. The fund’s webpage states:

No one should ever live in fear. It’s time to end hatred and celebrate Pride. In Canada, and abroad, LGBTQ+ communities continue to experience violence, discrimination, and stigma. Despite improvements in Canada, LGBTQ+ youth are still three times more likely to attempt suicide than their non-LGBTQ+ peers and 20 per cent of trans people have been assaulted in Ontario alone. [emphasis added]

While the goal of reducing violence is not wrong in and of itself, the methods and ideologies promoted by the LGBTQ+ Pride Fund are deeply problematic. While purporting to fight discrimination, support the growth and development of “queer communities,” and opening “benefits” to these “queer communities,” the LGBTQ+ Pride Fund is, in effect, attacking the religious and conscience rights of faithful Christians, openly assisting in the public practice of sodomy, and forcing tax-payers to subsidize sexual deviancy. They claim:

To drive positive change, we must all do our part to end discrimination and celebrate LGBTQ+ pride. Leading the way are charities across Canada delivering critical programs including advocacy work, support groups, community centres, shelters and housing programs, and counselling. Plus, many charities are celebrating and making more inclusive spaces through art, theatre, festivals, and more. These programs and services ensure queer communities continue to thrive and advance. Help make sure Queer Communities continue to have access to these beneficial programs. [emphasis added]

The Fund states that it supports more than 60 registered charities (listed here), one of which is “Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights.”

Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights

The connections from CanadaHelps to the Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights are direct.  CanadaHelps developed, owns, and operates Unite for Change.  Unite for Change created the LGBTQ+ Pride Fund, which in turn is financing Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights.  These are not loose, guilt by association connections, but established points of creation, control, and financial flow.

Openly advocating for abortion and birth control, Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, a Planned Parenthood affiliate founded in 2014, describes itself as:

a progressive, pro-choice charitable organization committed to advancing and upholding sexual and reproductive health and rights in Canada and globally. Action Canada is building on the 50-year legacy of our predecessor organizations. We are: The Planned Parenthood Federation of Canada, Canadians for Choice, the Canadian Federation for Sexual Health, and Action Canada for Population and Development. [emphasis added]

This organization’s primary focus on promoting abortion and reproductive rights is alarming. Their “Sexual Health Information Hub” website page includes a pocket guide for “Asking for an Abortion,” which disturbingly promotes and normalizes abortion.

The page reads:

“Having an abortion is a normal and common experience. One in three people who can get pregnant will have one. In Canada, abortions are safe and legal procedures done by healthcare professionals.” [emphasis added]
…
“There are two ways that abortions are done: Procedural abortion is done in a hospital or clinic. This is also called surgical abortion. Medication abortion is done by taking prescription pills. This can be done at home or wherever you feel comfortable.”

Moreover, their guide’s sub-page titled “Step 1: Get the Facts / Share the Facts” warns against Crisis Pregnancy Centres (CPCs), which often provide support and alternatives to abortion. They state:

“Be Aware of Anti-choice Activity: Crisis Pregnancy Centres (CPCs) There are many groups in Canada who are anti-abortion. Some have facilities that are set up as places where you can get help if you are dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. These facilities are called Crisis Pregnancy Centres (CPCs). Many of these groups are connected to religious organizations, but they might not tell you that upfront. Because Crisis Pregnancy Centres are run by people who are anti-abortion, they try to convince people to not choose abortion. They do this by giving false, or misleading information. They may tell you about religious reasons not to choose abortion. They may also shame people, or pressure them to continue the pregnancy. Some CPCs look like health clinics because they offer medical services such as ultrasound. Some CPCs provide programs for new parents, or baby clothes and diapers. While this can be helpful to people choosing to continue their pregnancy, it is not okay to push people to make a specific decision. Deciding what to do about a pregnancy can be complicated. People deserve to have someone who will listen without judgement and support what they think is best. Everyone is entitled to decide their future for themselves.” [emphasis added]
…
“Tips for avoiding CPCs: If a nurse or doctor offers you a counselling referral when you asked for abortion, they may be sending you to a Crisis Pregnancy Centre. If you decide to check out the referral: Ask what services they offer before giving them your personal information. If you’re not getting a clear answer, ask directly if they offer abortion care on site. Ask if the clinic has programs for new parents (abortion providers do not). Ask if the clinic is tied to a local church or religious organization. Know who the anti-choice groups and CPCs are in your area. Check out this list of known Anti-choice groups by the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC).”  [emphasis added]

This blatant attack on CPCs, which often provide valuable support and resources to expectant mothers, is deeply troubling.  Action Canada further perpetuates the narrative that abortion is irreversible and safe, dismissing any alternative perspectives:

“Abortion Cannot Be Reversed: You might hear some people talk about “abortion reversal” treatments. There is no medical treatment that has been approved by Health Canada to reverse abortion. Any treatment that claims to reverse abortion is potentially dangerous to your health. Abortion cannot be reversed. There is no medical treatment that can undo the effects of abortion pills you already took. Once you begin a medication abortion, the process can be stopped. This means that if you change your mind, you can choose not to finish taking the medications. Please talk to your healthcare provider if this is the case.” [emphasis added]

Action Canada’s “Sexual Health Information Hub” also includes a page on various contraceptive methods, titled “Birth Control”.

The page states:

“Birth control methods can stop this process from happening in a variety of ways. There are many options, with different benefits and drawbacks. There isn’t one best method that works for everyone. The best method for you will be different than the best method for someone else. *Not everyone uses these words for their body parts or relates to them in the same way. We have used these words as they are commonly known and encourage you to use the language that feels best for you.” [emphasis added]

Even more concerning is Action Canada’s page on puberty, which encourages minors to use puberty blockers if they are “trans/non-binary,” as well as to practice masturbation.

“Puberty While Trans and/or Non-binary: If you are trans and/or non-binary, puberty can feel like a really difficult time because suddenly, you are experiencing emotional and physical changes that might not feel aligned with your gender. Puberty blockers are medications that pause the hormonal process of puberty for people who are not ready for or don’t want the changes their body would otherwise go through. They can allow some extra time to make decisions about whether you might want hormone therapy in the future and prepare for the body changes that feel right for you. While many people may think that your genitals indicate what gender you are, it’s more complicated than that. While many people may identify with the gender that aligns with the sex they are assigned at birth, that is not the case for everybody.” [emphasis added]
…
“Crushes, Feelings and Fantasies: During puberty, you may notice romantic or sexual feelings getting more intense. You might start to fantasize or dream about sex. Masturbation can be a great way of exploring sexual feelings and learning what feels good for you. Having these thoughts and urges are normal and healthy – you don’t need to feel guilt or shame for having sexual fantasies or pleasuring yourself.” [emphasis added]

LGBT YouthLine

Unite for Change also raises donation money for the Lesbian Gay Bi Trans YouthLine, which describes itself as:

“an anti-racist, youth-led organization that connects 2SLGBTQ+ youth (29 and under) across Ontario to resources and community through peer support, training, advocacy, and referrals.”

The LGBT YouthLine provides various links and resources that promote gender transitions and other ideologies that are deeply at odds with Catholic teaching and values.

The following is just a small selection of the many links found on the page:

• Transition-Related Surgery (TRS)* Frequently Asked Questions
• Planned Parenthood’s Sexual Health Fact-sheets
• The Toronto Trans and Two-Spirit Primer: An Introduction to Lower-income,Sex-working and Street-involved Transgendered, Transsexual & Two-Spirit Service Users in Toronto
• SexAndU: Coming Out
• LGBTTQ+ Around the Rainbow: Parent Toolkit
• Trans Inclusion Matters: Fostering environments that are inclusive of gender identity and gender expression.
• Autostraddle – Articles on sex and dating for queer women, trans and non-binary people
• Primed – Trans Men Safer Sex Guide
• Brazen – Trans Women Safer Sex Guide

The ArQuives

Unite for Change also supports The ArQuives, which promotes itself as:

“the largest independent LGBTQ2+ Archives in the world and since 1973 the only LGBTQ2+ archives in Canada with a national scope.” [emphasis added]

The ArQuives hosts various exhibits, including the July 2024 exhibit titled “Meet Me in Leather,” which explores the role of the “leather community” in advocating for “queer and trans rights.”

“While leather has often been seen as just a kink or a sexual practice, Dickson wants the exhibit to show that it’s so much more than that. Members of the leather community have been fierce, vocal advocates for queer and trans rights, caretakers in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and proud representatives of varying body types beyond the masculine cis white male image, dating back to the inception of a leather community many decades ago.”

In December 2023, they co-presented an event titled “Queer Cinema for Palestine,” further showing their support for highly controversial and politicized causes within the LGBT sphere.

Conclusion

CanadaHelps created, owns, and operates Unite for Change which is presented as a means of facilitating generosity and kindness. However, their direct support for organizations that promote abortion, encourage sexual health practices for minors, and endorse modernist gender ideologies is utterly inexcusable, even for a secular organization. These initiatives blatantly contradict many teachings of the Catholic Church, and as such CanadaHelps and their affiliate organizations have been marked as “Not Safe” for donations. We strongly urge Christians and all concerned individuals to avoid making any kind of donation or pledge of support to CanadaHelps or any of the related organizations featured in this report.