Ruling (.pdf) - International Center for Law and Religion Studies

persons, individuals identified by disability. An organization can be engaged in servinga variety of interests, as is the case here. An organization can be primarily engaged inserving the interests of persons identified by a combination of proscribed grounds (forexample elderly persons of a particular race). But the word “primarily” compels theTribunal to determine, on the basis of the evidence, the class or group of personswhose interests the organization is engaged in serving, first and foremost.[138] Objectively viewed, the evidence does not support the conclusion that ChristianHorizons is primarily engaged in serving the interests of persons who are adherents toits Doctrinal Statement and its Lifestyle and Morality Statement. Indeed, the evidencedoes not support the conclusion that it is primarily engaged in serving the interests ofChristians more generally.2008 HRTO 22 (CanLII)[139] This is not to say that there is no evidence that Christian Horizons serves theinterests of persons who are adherents to its articles of faith. I have already foundChristian Horizons is a religious organization within the meaning of section 24(1)(a). AsRev. Cox stated, Christian Horizons provides both employment and volunteeropportunities for individuals who identify as Evangelical Christian. Much of the evidencecalled by Christian Horizons was to establish how its Board of Directors andmanagement work to maintain the “Evangelical Christian” character of the organization,in every aspect of its operations. The “work” is defined as Christian ministry, where stafflive out their Christian calling. The whole organization is structured as a community ofco-religionists in which members and employees can express their common faithcommitment.[140] Without in any way denying the sincerity of belief, the success of theorganization in infusing religious commitment into the work, and the positive effect thisreligious commitment has on the quality of care, it is nonetheless clear that the primaryobject and mission of Christian Horizons is to provide care and support for individualswho have developmental disabilities, without regard to their creed. Its Letters Patentdemonstrate this mission, its Constitution and By-Laws demonstrate this mission, and40