Our Inclusivity Statement

DIGNITY FOR ALL

We believe in creating a welcoming space of hope, love, dignity and stewardship for everyone.

The Salvation Army helps more than 1.9 million people each year in 400 communities across Canada. With over 130 years of service in the country, The Salvation Army provides practical assistance for children and families, shelter for people experiencing homelessness and rehabilitation for those who have lost control of their lives due to an addiction.

Many of our neighbours and staff are members of marginalized communities. They are at the center of our community, inherently valued and deeply loved. They are welcome in all our churches, programs and spaces with dignity and respect.

We take allegations of discrimination very seriously. If you are aware of a specific situation where a person has been the target of discrimination, please let us know because this is contrary to our mission to “share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.”

A community of dignity is

Where people feel valued & welcome 

Where people are free to conduct themselves free from discrimination and harassment

Where people know their rights and their allies

Where people feel supported and heard

Where every individuals' culture and contribution is celebrated

Where accessibility is honoured and centred

Where people feel safe to worship in their cultural traditions

Where staff and neighbours foster empathetic dialogue

To foster this community we

Regularly train staff on inclusion, cultural sensitivity, and unconscious bias

Committed to inclusive, gender-neutral language online and offline

Oppose hateful and discriminatory speech and behaviour

Modify spaces and language, when possible, to be accessible to all people

The Truth Is

WHAT THE SALVATION ARMY SAYS ABOUT DISCRIMINATION

Tyler's Story

2018 HERO FOR HOPE AWARD RECIPIENT

Questions & Answers

LGBTQ+ ANNOUNCEMENT

Equal Opportunity Employment

EQUITY FOR ALL

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to providing a respectful environment for all applicants and employees that is free from unlawful discrimination or harassment based on age, race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by law. Such equal opportunity for employment will apply to recruitment and hiring, training, promotion, salaries and other compensation, transfers and layoffs or termination.

Non-Discrimination in Programs

ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL

In providing its programs and services, The Salvation Army is committed to accommodating all those in need without unlawful discrimination or harassment based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic in accordance with our capacity to help.

Conversion Therapy and Bill C-6

THE SALVATION ARMY SUPPORTS BILL C-6

The federal government recently introduced Bill C-6 into the House of Commons to prohibit the practice of conversion therapy in Canada. This legislation aims to support LGBTQ2+ persons and stop a set of practices that have caused much harm in Canada and elsewhere.

In the Canada and Bermuda Territory, we have a long history of serving our own church members and the broader community. We commit to live out our Christian faith and core values, in a way that gives hope, respects the dignity of every person who comes through our doors and serves without discrimination.

We, therefore, have confirmed support for the legislation in its intent to ban the use of conversion therapy and commit to the following practical responses:

  • To acknowledge that conversion therapies within and outside the Christian church have been both ineffective and harmful.
  • To acknowledge that members of our own church community identify as LGBTQ2+ persons.
  • To aim to be a church community where LGBTQ2+ persons find encouragement to develop their relationships with God.
  • To not act, directly or indirectly, to encourage, refer to or engage with any form of conversion or reparative therapies or practices.
  • To not discriminate against anyone on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity in our community-based services or workplaces. This includes attempts to change or deny a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • To continue to demonstrate sensitivity to the complex social, emotional and spiritual needs of all people, and live out our core values of Service (we reach out to support others without discrimination), Dignity (we respect and value each other, recognizing everyone’s worth) and Hope (we give hope through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ).
  • To commit to deepening our understanding of the unique needs and experiences of LGBTQ2+ persons so that we may support them effectively, and with respect.