When confronting the challenges and pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic, faith leaders and communities have played an important role in fostering hope and resilience across Canada. Last Thursday, December 3, 2020, the Canadian Council of Churches was grateful to co-host a Cross-Canada conversation examining this role with the Canadian Interfaith Conversation, and the Canadian Multifaith Federation. “The Contribution of Faith Communities in a Pandemic” featured special guest the Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada and numerous prominent faith leaders across Canada who spoke about the positive contributions their communities have sought to make in this difficult time.
Speakers at this historic event included:
- The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
- The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Labour
- Rabbi Debra Landsberg, Past President of the Toronto Board of Rabbis, Co-Chair of the Canadian Rabbinic Caucus
- M. le Cardinal Gérald C. Lacroix
- Pandit Roopnauth Sharma, President, Hindu Federation of Canada
- Rev. Dr. Rhonda Britton, Vice-President, Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada
- Imam Dr. Hamid Slimi, Immediate Past President, Canadian Council of Imams
- National Indigenous Archbishop Mark MacDonald, Anglican Church of Canada
- Reverend Dr. Bhante Saranapala, Urban Buddhist Monk; Founder of Canada: A Mindful and Kind Nation
- Commissioner Floyd Tidd, Territorial Commander, Salvation Army
- Gobinder Singh Randhawa, Past Chair, Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council (OSGC)
- Closing Thanks and Comments
- Pastor Peter Noteboom, General Secretary, The Canadian Council of Churches
- The Honourable Bardish Chaggar, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth
- Deloria Bighorn, Chairperson, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada
At the end of this event, attendees were invited to share questions and concerns with the Prime Minister’s office in the chat pane.
This event saw nearly 480 registrants who had been invited to attend by each of the three co-hosting organizations. It is our prayer that the conversation strengthened the bonds of hope shared by faith leaders across Canada.