The leader of the opposition party in Canada has refused to apologise after suggesting that disagreeing with homosexuality goes against Canadian law.
It came after a Christian charity, which provides humanitarian aid to Africa, had its Government funding frozen because it listed homosexuality as a “sin” on its website.
The charity, which builds water wells in Uganda, holds traditional Christian beliefs about marriage but they provide aid to everyone who has need.
Problem
Last week it was told funding will continue, following a Government review of the organisation which found no problems.
But before the public funding was unfrozen, the leader of the opposition New Democratic Party criticised the charity.
Thomas Mulcair said: “These types of evangelical groups with vision that goes completely against not only Canadian values but Canadian law are getting Canadian tax-payers’ money.”
Refuse
Mr Mulcair has faced calls to retract his comments, but refused to apologise.
The charity in question, Crossroads Communications, seeks among other things to “provide humanitarian aid and assistance to people affected by disaster, famine, poverty and war”.
It also says that the Bible outlines ways for people to live, and that “God’s blueprint encourages sexuality within a marriage”.
Efforts
Canada legalised same-sex marriage in 2005.
Over the last ten years, Crossroads Communications has received more than $2 million from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for its aid efforts overseas.
Don Hutchinson, from the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, said that Canadian evangelicals spend millions of dollars on development work abroad.
He said: “When you work with organisations that function on the ‘love your neighbour’ principle, you get a better return on your dollar.”