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
Does The Salvation Army serve the LGBTQ+ Community?
Yes. Any person who walks through our doors will receive assistance based on their need and our capacity to help. Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human need in His name without discrimination.
Does The Salvation Army provide shelter to transgender people?
Yes. When a transgender person seeks help from us, we serve them in the same manner as any other person seeking assistance. Too often, our LGBTQ neighbours experience unacceptable homophobia or transphobia when seeking shelter. The Salvation Army seeks to be a welcome, safe place for all men, women, and children.
Does The Salvation Army consider the sexual orientation or gender identity of an applicant in its hiring practices?
No. We embrace talented people regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Our hiring practices are open to all.
Does The Salvation Army provide benefits to the spouses of employees in same-sex marriages?
Yes. We provide the same benefits to opposite-sex and same-sex couples.
What about past accusations?
The Salvation Army has responded to allegations of discrimination (LINK). We have apologized for and rejected comments made in a radio interview from Australia (LINK). There are no known allegations in Vancouver that we are aware of. If you know of any occurrences of discrimination please contact us.
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.