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Please note Christian Centre College was affiliated with Canada Christian College so clearly it is relevant
 
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{{Short description|Private Bible college in Ontario, Canada}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Coord|43|43|31|N|79|20|13|W|region:CA_type:edu|display=title}}
{{Infobox university
{{Infobox university
|name= Canada Christian College and School of Graduate Theological Studies
| name = Canada Christian College and School of Graduate Theological Studies
| established = {{Start date and age|1967}} (as Richmond College) - {{Start date and age|1974}} (as Canada Christian College)
|established= 1967
|city= [[Whitby, Ontario|Whitby]]
| city = [[Whitby, Ontario|Whitby]]
|state= [[Ontario]]
| state = Ontario
|country= Canada
| country = Canada
| image = Canada Christian College Campus - Ariel View.jpg
|type= [[Bible college]]
| type = [[Bible college]]
|president= [[Charles McVety]] (since 1993)
| president = [[Charles McVety]] (since 1993)
|founder = Elmer S. McVety
| founder = Elmer S. McVety
|students =
| language = English
|faculty = 70
| students =
|undergrad=
| faculty = 70
|postgrad=
| undergrad =
|campus= suburban
| postgrad =
|sports=
| campus = Suburban
|mascot=
| sports =
|colours = [[Red (color)|Red]] & [[Black (color)|black]]
| mascot =
|address = 300 Water Street
| colours = [[Red (color)|Red]] and [[Black (color)|black]]
|affiliations =
| address = 300 Water Street
|affiliation = [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Christian]]
| affiliations = The Evangelical Association, Canadian College of Christian Counsellors<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canadachristiancollege.com/ordaining-credentialing-bodies/|title=Ordaining and Credentialing &#124; Canada Christian College &#124; Canada Christian College|date=February 25, 2020}}</ref>
|website = http://www.canadachristiancollege.com/
| religious_affiliation = [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Christian]]
|coor = {{Coord|43|51|10|N|78|55|29|W|region:CA_type:edu|display=inline}}
| website = {{URL|https://canadachristiancollege.com}}

| coor = {{Coord|43|51|10|N|78|55|29|W|region:CA_type:edu|display=inline}}
}}
}}
'''Canada Christian College and School of Graduate Theological Studies''', commonly shortened to '''Canada Christian College''', is an [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Christian]] [[Bible college]] located in [[Whitby, Ontario|Whitby]], [[Ontario]], Canada.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Canada Christian College|url=https://canadachristiancollege.com/|access-date=2020-10-20|language=en-CA}}</ref>
==History==
Canada Christian College traces its origins to Richmond College, which was founded in September 1967 as a Christian liberal arts college by Elmer McVety (1928-1993), Canadian evangelist [[John Wesley White]] (1928-2016) who served as chancellor, and his brother, Hugh White, who served as the first dean. The college, which expected to have 100 students in its first year, was originally located on a 7-acre site at Lake Shore Boulevard and Dixie Road leased from the federal government that was formerly a Canadian Army arsenal. Its degree-granting powers were based on [[letters patent]] from Manitoba rather than a provincial charter from Ontario.<ref>"Evangelicals split over new college", ''Toronto Daily Star'', 18 Mar 1967: 12.</ref> McVety was "removed from the board" of the college in June 1969 following a dispute but remained chairman of the Canadian Non-Denominational Association for Education and Evangelism, the organization he founded in Manitoba in 1963 under which the college issued its degrees.<ref name="group">"Religious group sued", Toronto Star (1971-2009); Toronto, Ontario, 27 Apr 1977: A5.</ref><ref name="degrees"/> In 1974, Richmond College launched its theology program with the name Canada Christian College, with classes being held at space rented from [[McMaster University]] in Hamilton<ref name="hist">https://web.archive.org/web/20000528110158/http://www.canadachristiancollege.com/history.htm</ref> until 1980,<ref name="degrees"/> while Richmond College continued to offer arts programs at its campus at Leslie Street and [[Steeles Avenue]]. In 1981, when Richmond College closed, custody of student records was assigned to [[Trinity Western University]] in [[Langley, British Columbia (district municipality)|Langley, British Columbia]].


'''Canada Christian College and School of Graduate Theological Studies''', also known as '''Canada Christian College''', is a private [[Evangelicalism|evangelical]] [[Bible college]] in [[Whitby, Ontario]], Canada.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Canada Christian College|url=https://canadachristiancollege.com/|access-date=2020-10-20|language=en-CA}}</ref> {{As of|2020}}, over 6,500 people have graduated from Canada Christian College.<ref name="current" />
In 1976, McVety launched the Christian Centre College in [[Downsview]], affiliated with the Christian Centre Church and the Canada Christian College.<ref>Toronto Star (1971-2009); Toronto, Ontario [Toronto, Ontario]17 Jan 1976: F6.</ref> Christian Centre College offered degrees in theology, mostly by [[correspondence course|correspondence]], initially under the auspices of [[Christian International University]] in [[Phoenix, Arizona]]. Christian International University had moved to Arizona from Texas after it was denied certification by Texas on the grounds that its programs were "academically substandard".<ref name="group"/>


==History==
In 1982, the right of the school to grant degrees was revoked by the Ontario Ministry of Education.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Robert |title=Canada Christian College president Charles McVety. WATERLOO REGION NDP calls proposed university accreditation for Christian college a ‘political favour’ from Ford |url=https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2020/10/20/ndp-calls-proposed-university-accreditation-for-christian-college-a-political-favour-from-ford.html |accessdate=October 23, 2020 |work=Kitchener-Waterloo Record |date=October 20, 2020}}</ref> The revocation followed allegations from provincial officials that BA and MA degrees offered by Canada Christian College were "misleading" because they implied a general arts education. They also alleged they were "useless" for further study or teaching jobs in recognized universities and that the religious studies degrees were similarly suspect as the school was not accredited by any recognized religious educational body. At the time, the school had 300 students.<ref name="degrees">"Bible college may lose its right to give degrees", ''Toronto Star'', August 12, 1982, pgs A1 and A8 (retrieved via ProQuest)</ref>
Canada Christian College traces its origins to Richmond College, which was founded in September 1967 as a Christian liberal arts college by Elmer McVety (1928–1993), Canadian evangelist John Wesley White (1928–2016) who served as chancellor, and his brother, Hugh White, who served as the first dean. The college, which expected to have 100 students in its first year, was originally located on a 7-acre site at Lake Shore Boulevard and Dixie Road leased from the federal government that was formerly a [[Canadian Army]] [[Long Branch Aerodrome|arsenal]]. Its degree-granting powers were based on a [[letters patent]] from Manitoba rather than a provincial charter from Ontario.<ref>"Evangelicals split over new college", ''Toronto Daily Star'', 18 Mar 1967: 12.</ref> McVety was "removed from the board" of Richmond College in June 1969 following a dispute but remained chairman of the Association for Education and Evangelism, the organization he founded in Manitoba in 1963 under which the college issued its degrees.<ref name="group">"Religious group sued", Toronto Star (1971-2009); Toronto, Ontario, 27 Apr 1977: A5.</ref><ref name="degrees"/> (The Association for Education and Evangelism became the Canadian Non-Denominational Association for Education and Evangelism in 1980 and is known today as the Evangelical Association).<ref>{{cite web |title=History of the Organization |url=http://www.evangelicalassociation.ca/CMS/?page_id=36 |website=Evangelical Association |publisher=Evangelical Association |access-date=May 21, 2021}}</ref> In 1974, the association launched a theological school named Canada Christian College, with classes being held at space rented from [[McMaster University]] in Hamilton<ref name="hist">{{cite web |url=http://www.canadachristiancollege.com/history.htm |title=A Glance at Canada Christian College |website=www.canadachristiancollege.com |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000528110158/http://www.canadachristiancollege.com/history.htm |archive-date=28 May 2000 |url-status=dead}}</ref> until 1980,<ref name="degrees"/> while Richmond College continued to offer arts programs at its campus at Leslie Street and [[Steeles Avenue]]. In 1981, when Richmond College closed, custody of student records was assigned to [[Trinity Western University]] in [[Langley, British Columbia (district municipality)|Langley, British Columbia]].


In 1982, the right of the Canada Christian College to grant degrees was revoked by the [[Ministry of Colleges and Universities]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Robert |title=Canada Christian College president Charles McVety. WATERLOO REGION NDP calls proposed university accreditation for Christian college a 'political favour' from Ford |url=https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2020/10/20/ndp-calls-proposed-university-accreditation-for-christian-college-a-political-favour-from-ford.html |access-date=October 23, 2020 |work=Kitchener-Waterloo Record |date=October 20, 2020}}</ref> The revocation followed allegations from provincial officials that BA and MA degrees offered by Canada Christian College were "misleading" because they implied a general arts education. They also alleged they were "useless" for further study or teaching jobs in recognized universities and that the religious studies degrees were similarly suspect as the school was not accredited by any recognized religious educational body. At the time, the school had 300 students. According to Elmer McVety, most of the college's courses were prepared by the [[Christian International University]] in [[Phoenix, Arizona]],<ref name="degrees">"Bible college may lose its right to give degrees", ''Toronto Star'', August 12, 1982, pgs A1 and A8 (retrieved via ProQuest)</ref> an unaccredited institution<ref name="degrees"/> whose programs were considered "academically substandard" by the state of Texas.<ref name="group"/>
After having its Ontario degree granting authority revoked, the college continued issuing theological degrees under the authority of its [[Manitoba]] letters patent. However, in response to a complaint by the [[Canadian Jewish Congress]], an official at the Ministry of Colleges and Universities stated that the Canada Christian College's granting of degrees appeared to contravene the Degree Granting Act of 1983.<ref>"Jews question status of college", Toronto Star (1971-2009); Toronto, Ontario [Toronto, Ontario]30 Nov 1991: A10.</ref> Minister of Colleges and Universities [[Richard Allen (Canadian politician)|Richard Allen]] agreed that the college was not authorized to grant degrees and pledged the college would be made to comply with the law and only grant diplomas and certificates.<ref name=cjn">"Canadian Jewish Congress worried over bill that would upgrade status of Bible college [to academic degree-granting institution]", Csillag, Ron. Canadian Jewish News; Don Mills, Ont. [Don Mills, Ont]19 Nov 1998: 3.</ref> The college thereafter complied with the law. In 1998, the ministry ordered the school to close.<ref name="walrus-theocons"/> A [[private members bill]] moved by [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario|Progressive Conservative]] MPP [[Jim Brown (Ontario politician)|Jim Brown]], sought to grant the institution degree-granting authority in Ontario. The bill was initially opposed by the Canadian Jewish Congress until the Canada Christian College agreed to disband its Jewish Studies Department, which the Canadian Jewish Congress alleged had been promoting the [[Proselytization and counter-proselytization of Jews|proselytization of Jews]]; the bill died on the order paper without being voted upon.<ref>"Canada Christian College drops Jewish studies", Csillag, Ron.Canadian Jewish News; Don Mills, Ont. [Don Mills, Ont]03 Dec 1998: 3.</ref><ref name="walrus-theocons" /> The next year, in 1999, Progressive Conservative MPP [[Frank Klees]] introduced a successful [[private members bill]] (Bill PR-4) in the Ontario legislature securing degree-granting authority for the college.<ref name="walrus-theocons" />


Elmer McVety died in 1993 and his son, Charles McVety, took over leadership of the college.<ref name="walrus-theocons">{{cite news|last=McDonald|first=Marci|date=December 5, 2006|title=Stephen Harper and the Theo-cons|publisher=The Walrus|url=http://www.walrusmagazine.ca/print/2006.10-politics-stephen-harper-and-the-theocons/|url-status=dead|accessdate=December 5, 2006|archive-url=https://archive.is/20070928142903/http://www.walrusmagazine.ca/print/2006.10-politics-stephen-harper-and-the-theocons/#|archive-date=September 28, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
Elmer McVety died in 1993 and his son, Charles McVety, took over leadership of the college.<ref name="walrus-theocons">{{cite news|last=McDonald|first=Marci|date=December 5, 2006|title=Stephen Harper and the Theo-cons|publisher=The Walrus|url=http://www.walrusmagazine.ca/print/2006.10-politics-stephen-harper-and-the-theocons/|url-status=dead|access-date=December 5, 2006|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070928142903/http://www.walrusmagazine.ca/print/2006.10-politics-stephen-harper-and-the-theocons/#|archive-date=September 28, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


After having its Ontario degree granting authority revoked, Canada Christian College was able to continue issuing theological degrees under the authority of its [[Manitoba]] letters patent. However, in 1991 an official at the Ministry of Colleges and Universities stated that the Canada Christian College's granting of degrees appeared to contravene the Degree Granting Act of 1983.<ref>"Jews question status of college", Toronto Star (1971-2009); Toronto, Ontario [Toronto, Ontario]30 Nov 1991: A10.</ref> Minister of Colleges and Universities [[Richard Allen (Canadian politician)|Richard Allen]] agreed that the college was not authorized to grant degrees and pledged the college would be made to comply with the law and only grant diplomas and certificates.<ref name="cjn">"Canadian Jewish Congress worried over bill that would upgrade status of Bible college [to academic degree-granting institution]", Csillag, Ron. Canadian Jewish News; Don Mills, Ont. [Don Mills, Ont]19 Nov 1998: 3.</ref> In 1998, the ministry ordered the school to close.<ref name="walrus-theocons"/> That year, [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario|Progressive Conservative]] MPP [[Jim Brown (Ontario politician)|Jim Brown]] introduced a [[private member's bill]] which sought to grant the institution degree-granting authority in Ontario; the bill died on the order paper without being voted upon.<ref name="csillag">"Canada Christian College drops Jewish studies", Csillag, Ron. Canadian Jewish News; Don Mills, Ont. [Don Mills, Ont]03 Dec 1998: 3.</ref><ref name="walrus-theocons" /> The next year, in 1999, Progressive Conservative MPP [[Frank Klees]] introduced a successful private member's bill (Bill PR-4) securing degree-granting authority for the college in Ontario.<ref name="walrus-theocons" />
As a private, non-denominational institution, Canada Christian College has never received government funding nor denominational financial backing. However, students are eligible for government funding through the [[Ontario Student Assistance Program]] and [[Canada Student Loans]].<ref>https://canadachristiancollege.com/admissions/tuition-fees/</ref> As of 2020, over 6,500 people have graduated from Canada Christian College.<ref name="current"/>


The college is currently an accredited private degree-granting institution listed by the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities and is permitted only to grant degrees "in the field of religious studies and research in higher Christian learning."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-36/session-3/bill-pr4|title = Canada Christian College and School of Graduate Theological Studies Act, 1999}}</ref>
==Campus==
Beginning in 1979, Canada Christian College was renting classroom space in the [[Ontario Institute for Studies in Education]] (OISE) building (but had no affiliation with OISE) at 252 [[Bloor Street]] West, near the [[University of Toronto]] campus, as well as classroom and office space at 5799 Yonge Street in [[Willowdale, Toronto|Willowdale]].<ref name="degrees"/><ref name="hist"/> In June 1985, Canada Christian College acquired space at 455 Huron Street in Toronto. In 1991, it relocated to a 50,000 square foot facility at 245 Dalesford Road in [[Etobicoke]]. In the summer of 1995, the college purchased and moved to a 110,000 square foot campus at 50 Gervais Drive in [[Don Mills]].<ref name="hist"/><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-02-25|title=History {{!}} Canada Christian College {{!}} Canada Christian College|url=https://canadachristiancollege.com/history/|access-date=2020-10-24|language=en-CA}}</ref>
In 2018, Canada Christian College acquired and renovated a new lakefront campus in Whitby, Ontario with an approximately 200,000 square foot building, 600 feet of lakefront and 12 acres of land with a projected value of $43.8 million.<ref name="current">{{Cite web|date=2020-02-25|title=History {{!}} Canada Christian College {{!}} Canada Christian College|url=https://canadachristiancollege.com/history/|access-date=2020-10-24|language=en-CA}}</ref>


==Proposal for university status==
===Proposal for and rejection of university status===
In 2020, the government of [[Doug Ford]] introduced a bill in the [[Ontario legislature]] which, if passed, would give the institution [[university]] status with the power to confer [[Bachelor of Arts]] and [[Bachelor of Science]] degrees. Former [[Premier of Ontario]] [[Kathleen Wynne]] criticized the proposal, asking, in reference to college president Charles McVety, "Why (would) this government...extend the mandate of the most publicly and vocally homophobic man in Ontario?".<ref name="benzie">{{cite news |last1=Benzie |first1=Robert |title=Tories under fire for granting university status to evangelical college |url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2020/10/22/tories-under-fire-for-granting-university-status-to-evangelical-college.html |access-date=October 23, 2020 |work=Toronto Star |date=October 22, 2020}}</ref> Additionally, the [[Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations]] stated in a letter to Premier Ford that they are "alarmed that your government is intending to discreetly pass legislation that would allow the Canada Christian College to call itself a "university" and award degrees," adding that "The Ontario government should not grant accreditation and degree-granting privileges to institutions that do not meet the anti-discriminatory and anti-hate speech principles outlined in the [[Ontario Human Rights Code]],"<ref name="Crawley">{{cite news|last1=Crawley|first1=Mike|date=October 22, 2020|title=Backlash grows over Ford's move to grant Charles McVety's religious college university status|work=CBC News|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/doug-ford-charles-mcvety-canada-christian-college-university-1.5772778|access-date=October 23, 2020}}</ref>


McVety responded to these objections, saying that "the college, its president, staff, and faculty value all individuals, including the LGBTQ community."<ref name="benzie" />
The college is currently an accredited private degree-granting institution listed by the Ontario [[Ministry of Colleges and Universities]] and is permitted only to grant degrees "in the field of religious studies and research in higher Christian learning."<ref>https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-36/session-3/bill-pr4</ref>


Ford was accused of giving McVety a [[quid pro quo]] and granting the Canada Christian College university status as a reward for McVety's past political support of Ford's [[2018 Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario leadership election|leadership campaign]] as well as of his [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario|Progressive Conservative]] government. [[Leader of the Official Opposition (Ontario)|Opposition Leader]] [[Andrea Horwath]] alleged "a backroom deal" between Ford and McVety.<ref name="benzie2">{{cite news|last1=Benzie|first1=Robert|date=October 27, 2020|title=Doug Ford accused of 'backroom deal' to reward controversial evangelist Charles McVety|work=Toronto Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2020/10/27/doug-ford-accused-of-backroom-deal-to-reward-controversial-evangelist-charles-mcvety.html|access-date=October 27, 2020}}</ref>
In 2020, the government of [[Doug Ford]] introduced a bill in the [[Ontario legislature]] which, if passed, would give the institution [[university]] status with the power to confer [[Bachelor of Arts]] and [[Bachelor of Science]] degrees. Former [[Premier of Ontario]] [[Kathleen Wynne]] criticised the proposal, asking, in reference to college president Charles McVety, “Why (would) this government ... extend the mandate of the most publicly and vocally homophobic man in Ontario?”.<ref name="benzie">{{cite news |last1=Benzie |first1=Robert |title=Tories under fire for granting university status to evangelical college |url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2020/10/22/tories-under-fire-for-granting-university-status-to-evangelical-college.html |accessdate=October 23, 2020 |work=Toronto Star |date=October 22, 2020}}</ref> Ford was accused of giving McVety a [[quid pro quo]] and granting the Canada Christian College university status as a reward for McVety's past political support of Ford's [[2018 Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario leadership election|leadership campaign]] as well as of his [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario|Progressive Conservative]] government with [[Green Party of Ontario]] leader [[Mike Schreiner]] saying "This is the most blatant example of political back-scratching in Ford's tenure" and the [[Ontario New Democratic Party]] MPP [[Catherine Fife]] calling the proposal "an attempt to do a favour for a political ally." The [[Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations]] stated in a letter to Premier Ford that they are "alarmed that your government is intending to discreetly pass legislation that would allow the Canada Christian College to call itself a "university" and award degrees," adding that "The Ontario government should not grant accreditation and degree-granting privileges to institutions that do not meet the anti-discriminatory and anti-hate speech principles outlined in the [[Ontario Human Rights Code]],"<ref name="Crawley">{{cite news |last1=Crawley |first1=Mike |title=Backlash grows over Ford's move to grant Charles McVety's religious college university status |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/doug-ford-charles-mcvety-canada-christian-college-university-1.5772778 |accessdate=October 23, 2020 |work=CBC News |date=October 22, 2020}}</ref> The government was also criticized for introducing the bill without the [[Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board]] having completed review of the college's request to create new Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programs or its request to change its name to the Canada University and School of Graduate Theological Studies.<ref>{{cite news |title=How Doug Ford's COVID-19 legislation helps advance his party's agenda |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/covid-19-ontario-premier-doug-ford-1.5770744 |accessdate=October 23, 2020 |work=CBC News |date=October 22, 2020}}</ref>


Responding to these accusations, McVety stated that "this Ontario legislation is based upon fairness, not favouritism. It is an initiative that does nothing more than correct a systemic problem plaguing some long-standing degree-granting institutions that are called colleges, and not universities."<ref name="benzie" /> He further said that "it is sad that the NDP and MPP Kathleen Wynne would recklessly damage the lives of hundreds of students and thousands of graduates with mindless, hateful name calling, all while reading directly from a disreputable source, [[Wikipedia]]."<ref name="benzie" />
===Response from Canada Christian College===
McVety responded to the objections, saying that “the college, its president, staff, and faculty value all individuals, including the LGBTQ community.” He stated further that “this Ontario legislation is based upon fairness, not favouritism. It is an initiative that does nothing more than correct a systemic problem plaguing some long-standing degree-granting institutions that are called colleges, and not universities."<ref name="benzie" />


The Ontario government was also criticized for introducing the bill without the [[Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board]] (PEQAB) having completed review of the college's request to create new Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programs or its request to change its name to the Canada University and School of Graduate Theological Studies.<ref>{{cite news |title=How Doug Ford's COVID-19 legislation helps advance his party's agenda |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/covid-19-ontario-premier-doug-ford-1.5770744 |access-date=October 23, 2020 |work=CBC News |date=October 22, 2020}}</ref> [[Liberal Party of Ontario|Liberal]] leader [[Steven Del Duca]] said "it certainly looks suspicious, which is troubling" that the government would introduce enabling legislation before the college has even been approved by the PEQAB.<ref name="benzie2" />
Speaking about the proposed name change, he stated that “It is unconscionable for students, the majority of whom are visible minorities or new Canadians, to have their hard-earned Bachelor, Master and Doctoral degrees marginalized due to outdated naming practices.”<ref>{{Cite web|title=McVety won't get special treatment in school accreditation process: Ford|url=https://torontosun.com/news/provincial/mcvety-wont-get-special-treatment-in-school-accreditation-process-ford|access-date=2020-10-23|website=Toronto Sun|language=en-CA}}</ref>


Speaking about the proposed name change, McVety stated that "It is unconscionable for students, the majority of whom are visible minorities or new Canadians, to have their hard-earned Bachelor, Master and Doctoral degrees marginalized due to outdated naming practices."<ref>{{Cite news|title=McVety won't get special treatment in school accreditation process: Ford|url=https://torontosun.com/news/provincial/mcvety-wont-get-special-treatment-in-school-accreditation-process-ford|access-date=2020-10-23|newspaper=Toronto Sun|language=en-CA}}</ref>
Concerning political opposition, he said that “it is sad that the NDP and MPP Kathleen Wynne would recklessly damage the lives of hundreds of students and thousands of graduates with mindless, hateful name calling, all while reading directly from a disreputable source, [[Wikipedia]].”<ref name="benzie" />


Financial information submitted to the PEQAB as part of the college's application for university status revealed that Charles McVety and his son, Ryan, were given six-figure loans from the college's charitable funds—owing $860,000 by the end of 2019—and that these funds were allegedly used to buy jet skis and vehicles—leading to questions being asked in the Ontario Legislative Assembly as well as a lengthy report in the ''[[Toronto Star]]'' as to how the college's charitable funds were being used.<ref name="status">{{cite news|last1=Rushowy|first1=Kristin|date=May 17, 2021|title=Decision on Charles McVety's university application for Canada Christian College coming soon|work=Toronto Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/05/17/decision-on-charles-mcvetys-university-application-for-canada-christian-college-coming-soon.html?li_source=LI&li_medium=thestar_canada|access-date=May 18, 2021}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite news|last1=Cohn|first1=Martin Regg|date=November 9, 2020|title=Charles McVety borrows heavily from his Christian college charity. He also holds a political IOU from Doug Ford|work=Toronto Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2020/11/09/charles-mcvety-borrows-heavily-from-his-christian-college-charity-he-also-holds-a-political-iou-from-doug-ford.html|access-date=May 18, 2021}}</ref>
== Academic programs ==
Canada Christian College has five primary degree-granting departments: Ministry, Sacred Music, Christian Counseling, Business, and Religious Education. Across these five departments, the college offers 14 Bachelor, Master and Doctoral degrees as well as 3 one-year Certificates (Worship Leadership, Bible, or Christian Counseling). The full list of academic degree offerings is as follows:<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-03-09|title=Departments {{!}} Canada Christian College {{!}} Canada Christian College|url=https://canadachristiancollege.com/academics/academic-departments-degrees/|access-date=2020-10-23|language=en-CA}}</ref>


The college, responded to these allegations, stating, "The college, in its application, gave financial information under the promised terms that it would remain confidential. Any such information was improperly posted...The college will provide answers concerning its financial statements to an appropriate authority when requested."<ref name=":0" />
'''Ministry'''


On October 27, 2020, the [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario]] passed a motion to "condemn the extreme and hateful invective of Charles McVety and oppose any efforts to make Canada Christian College into an accredited university."<ref>{{cite news |last1=D'Mello |first1=Colin |title=Ontario government to fast-track Charles McVety legislation amid public outcry |url=https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/mobile/ontario-government-to-fast-track-charles-mcvety-legislation-amid-public-outcry-1.5202866 |access-date=November 24, 2020 |work=CTV News |date=November 24, 2020}}</ref>
* Bachelor of Theology (general)
* Bachelor of Theology, Creative Pastor
* Bachelor of Theology, Leadership and Community Development
* Master of Theological Studies
* Master of Divinity
* Doctor of Ministry


On December 8, 2020, Bill 213, an [[omnibus bill]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=McLaren |first1=David |title=Christmas comes early for the deep-pocketed friends of Premier Doug Ford |url=https://www.thespec.com/opinion/contributors/2020/12/14/christmas-comes-early-for-the-deep-pocketed-friends-of-premier-doug-ford.html |access-date=May 21, 2021 |work=Hamilton Spectator |date=December 14, 2020}}</ref> which included enabling legislation which would have granted additional degree granting status and use of the term university, was passed by the provincial legislature.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Legislation|url=https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-42/session-1/bill-213/status|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302133643/https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-42/session-1/bill-213/status |archive-date=March 2, 2021 }}</ref> However, the portion of the bill relating to Canada Christian College was not [[Royal assent|proclaimed]], pending a decision by the PEQAB on the college's application for university status.<ref name="Romano"/>
'''Sacred Music'''


A spokesperson for Minister of Colleges and Universities [[Ross Romano]] announced on May 21, 2021, that the "PEQAB has recommended that the institution not be granted expanded degree-granting authority or a name change at this time" and that "The minister has reviewed and accepts their recommendation."<ref name="Romano">{{cite news |last1=Rushowy |first1=Kristin |title=Charles McVety denounces 'vicious attacks' as Canada Christian College is denied university status |url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2021/05/19/charles-mcvetys-canada-christian-college-denied-university-status.html |access-date=May 21, 2021 |work=Toronto Star |date=May 21, 2021}}</ref> Accordingly, Romano's spokesperson stated that "the government will not be proclaiming Schedule 2 of Bill 213 at this time."<ref name="Romano" />
* Bachelor of Sacred Music
* Master of Sacred Music
* Doctor of Sacred Music


In response to the decision by Romano, McVety stated that it is the students at Canada Christian College who will suffer because of the "political corruptness" of the university proposal process. He further stated that "PEQAB put forward to the ministry a fraudulent misrepresentation of the college. The government was informed of the misrepresentations but refused to investigate...Our students and campus community deserved better from their government." He also intimated that Canada Christian College would be filing a lawsuit against PEQAB.<ref name="Romano" />
'''Christian Counseling Department'''


==Campus==
* Bachelor of Christian Counseling
Classroom space was rented from McMaster University in Hamilton from 1974 until 1980.<ref name="hist"/><ref name="degrees"/> Beginning in 1979, Canada Christian College also rented classroom space in the [[Ontario Institute for Studies in Education]] (OISE) building at 252 [[Bloor Street]] West, near the [[University of Toronto]] campus, as well as classroom and office space in Newtonbrook Plaza at 5799 Yonge Street<ref>{{cite web |title=Newtonbrook Plaza Redevelopment - Structure 3 |url=http://www.urbandb.com/canada/ontario/toronto/newtonbrook-plaza-redevelopment-3/index.html#.YKndmahKgd0 |website=urbandb |access-date=May 23, 2021}}</ref> in [[Willowdale, Toronto|Willowdale]].<ref name="degrees"/><ref name="hist"/> In June 1985, Canada Christian College acquired space at 455 Huron Street in Toronto. In 1991, it relocated to a 50,000 square foot facility at 245 Dalesford Road in [[Etobicoke]]. In the summer of 1995, the college purchased and moved to a 110,000 square foot campus at 50 Gervais Drive in [[Don Mills]].<ref name="hist"/><ref name="current">{{Cite web|date=2020-02-25|title=History {{!}} Canada Christian College {{!}} Canada Christian College|url=https://canadachristiancollege.com/history/|access-date=2020-10-24|language=en-CA}}</ref>
* Master of Christian Counseling
In 2018, Canada Christian College acquired and renovated a new lakefront campus in Whitby, Ontario with an approximately 200,000 square foot building, 600 feet of lakefront and 12 acres of land with a projected value of $43.8 million.<ref name="current"/>
* Doctor of Christian Counseling


== Academic programs ==
'''Business Department'''
Canada Christian College houses five primary degree-granting departments: Ministry, Sacred Music, Christian Counseling, Business, and Religious Education. Across these departments, the college offers 14 Bachelor, Master and Doctoral degrees as well as 3 one-year certificates (Worship Leadership, Bible, or Christian Counseling).


The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) has repeatedly rejected applicants whose credentials are based on Christian Counselling degrees from Canada Christian College and have in the past questioned academic transcripts issued by the school.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Regg Cohn |first1=Martin |title=Doug Ford failed to get Charles McVety his university — and in trying, he failed us all |url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2021/05/26/doug-ford-failed-to-get-charles-mcvety-his-university-and-in-trying-he-failed-us-all.html |access-date=May 27, 2021 |work=Toronto Star |date=May 26, 2021}}</ref> In 2016, a CRPO panel ruled against recognizing Canada Christian College academic transcripts stating that it "was concerned about the discrepancies that appeared in both the bachelor's and master's degrees transcripts from Canada Christian College and stated that transcripts are designed to be sources of accurate and reflective information about a student's performance and progress in an educational program. The numerous discrepancies led the committee to question the credentials presented."<ref name="cohn">{{cite news |last1=Regg Cohn |first1=Martin |title=The Canada Christian College, in Whitby, Ont., is at the centre of a growing political scandal over its efforts to receive university accreditation from the province. The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario has repeatedly turned down applicants who rely on their degrees in "Christian Counselling" from the school, challenging its academic integrity, Martin Regg Cohn writes. POLITICS OPINION Doug Ford wants to give university status to a school run by a homophobic preacher. But that's only half the story |url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2020/10/31/doug-ford-wants-to-give-university-status-to-a-school-run-by-a-homophobic-preacher-but-thats-only-half-the-story.html |access-date=May 27, 2021 |work=Toronto Star |date=October 31, 2020}}</ref>
* Bachelor of Theology, Business and Communications


In 2018, the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board expressed its "doubts that degrees from Canada Christian College meet the standards and rigour normally expected of degree programs in Canada".<ref name="cohn"/>
'''Religious Education'''


In response to the Toronto Star opinion article citing these allegations, the college released a statement stating that "Canada Christian College offers a robust and excellent Christian Counselling degree program at the undergraduate and graduate level. CCC does not directly teach registered psychotherapy as a program. Some graduates do choose to professionally go down that path and many have been accepted and registered by the CRPO, some have been rejected."<ref name="cohn" />
* Bachelor of Religious Education


==Controversies==
'''Korean Department'''
The president of the college, [[Charles McVety]], has a history of making controversial remarks regarding [[homosexuality]] in 2010 and [[Islam]] in 2011.<ref>{{cite news|author=Steven Zhou|author-link=Steven Zhou|title=Doug Ford headlines Christmas concert with controversial evangelical pastor|url=https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/j5za8p/doug-ford-headlines-christmas-concert-with-controversial-evangelical-pastor|date=2018-12-10}}</ref>


===Department of Jewish Studies===
In addition to the above English-speaking degree streams, Canada Christian College also has a Korean Department offering many identical degrees for Korean-speakers.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-03-09|title=Korean Department {{!}} Canada Christian College {{!}} Canada Christian College|url=https://canadachristiancollege.com/academics/ccc-korean-department/|access-date=2020-10-23|language=en-CA}}</ref> The Korean Department of Canada Christian College was recently listed by the Korea Research Foundation (a non-profit grant organization supported by the South Korean Ministry of Culture and Tourism) as the institution offering the 4th most doctoral degrees to Korean citizens living in Canada (the top three are the University of Alberta, McGill University, and University of Toronto; #5-10 (in order) are University of British Columbia, Northwest Baptist Theological College, University of Waterloo, University of Calgary, University of Ottawa, and McMaster University).<ref>{{Cite web|title=통계정보|url=https://dr.nrf.re.kr/stats/total#nation|access-date=2020-10-23|website=dr.nrf.re.kr}}</ref> Moreover, the college also offers new Canadians the opportunity to take ESL courses.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-03-09|title=Faculty {{!}} Canada Christian College {{!}} Canada Christian College|url=https://canadachristiancollege.com/academics/faculty/|access-date=2020-10-23|language=en-CA}}</ref>


In 1991, the college was the subject of complaints by the [[Canadian Jewish Congress]] for its plans to have a "Jewish studies" department which, it was alleged, would be teaching classes meant to train students to convert Jews to Christianity. [[Bernie Farber]] of the CJC said of the college "We will take on any group whose aim is to destroy Judaism, philosophically, spiritually or directly." Rev. Malvern Jacobs and Rev. Edward Brotsky were the dean and vice-dean of the new department and were described as [[messianic Judaism|messianic Jews]].<ref>McAteer, Michael, "Jews question status of college", ''Toronto Star'', November 30, 1991</ref> Jacobs later served as dean of Canada Christian College.<ref>van Rijn, Nicolaas, "Jewish cemetery refuses educator's body --- Man rejected because he abandoned faith, rabbis' council rules", ''Toronto Star'', June 28, 1999</ref>
'''Online Studies'''


In 1998, the Canadian Jewish Congress opposed a private member's bill that would have conferred degree-granting status on Canada Christian College. The Congress alleged that the college's Jewish Studies Department had been promoting the [[Proselytization and counter-proselytization of Jews|proselytization of Jews]]. The CJC withdrew its opposition after the college agreed to disband the department.<ref name="walrus-theocons" /><ref name="csillag"/> McVety told ''[[Canadian Jewish News]]'', "We want to make it very clear that the Canada Christian College does not approve of or engage in any process to convert Jews to Christianity."<ref name=cw>Lowes, Carol "Jews for Jesus campaign exposes growing tensions", ''Christian Week'', September 30, 2003</ref>
Canada Christian College also has an active online department which allows international students to obtain three of the above degrees and two of the above certificates. Students may complete the Bachelor of Theology, Bachelor of Christian Counseling, Master of Christian Counseling, and 2 one-year certificates (Bible, Christian Counseling) completely online.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-03-09|title=About {{!}} Canada Christian College {{!}} Canada Christian College|url=https://canadachristiancollege.com/academics/ccc-online/about-ccc-online/|access-date=2020-10-23|language=en-CA}}</ref>


In 2003, McVety joined with [[B'nai Brith]] to participate in its countermissionary campaign and voiced his opposition to groups such as [[Jews for Jesus]].<ref>Scrivener, Leslie, "Jewish leaders take on evangelical promoters; Vow opposition to Jews for Jesus 'Fighting them on street corners'", ''Toronto Star'', August 24, 2003</ref> "As a committed Christian I support the idea of preaching Christianity, but preaching Christianity under the guise of Judaism to those who are in fact seeking Judaism, is plainly wrong," said McVety.<ref>"Jewish and Christian leaders launch countermissionary campaign", ''Jerusalem Post'', August 28, 2003</ref>
=== Additional offerings ===
In addition to the five primary degree-granting departments, Canada Christian College has smaller departments which contain core courses for all degree offerings, including the Modern Israel Studies Department and the Executive Leadership Department. Courses housed in these departments include History of Israel, The Jewish Roots of Christianity, The Spirit of Leadership, the Philosophy of Leadership, Servant Leadership, Practical Leadership, and Advanced Leadership Dynamics.


In 2008, [[Frank Dimant]], executive vice-president of [[B'nai Brith Canada]], was appointed the Chair of the newly inaugurated Department of Modern Israel Studies; he was promoted to dean in 2015 and remained with the college until 2019.<ref name=dimant>{{cite web|title=A Word from the Dean|url=http://canadachristiancollege.com/ccc_cms/israel-studies-department/a-word-from-the-dean/|website=Canada Christian College|publisher=Canada Christian College|access-date=December 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222144833/http://canadachristiancollege.com/ccc_cms/israel-studies-department/a-word-from-the-dean/#|archive-date=December 22, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
==Past controversies==
The president of the college, [[Charles McVety]] has a history of making controversial remarks regarding [[homosexuality]] and [[Islam]].<ref>{{cite news|author=[[Steven Zhou]]|title=Doug Ford headlines Christmas concert with controversial evangelical pastor|url=https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/j5za8p/doug-ford-headlines-christmas-concert-with-controversial-evangelical-pastor|date=2018-12-10}}</ref> In 2019, Canada Christian College organized a protest in support of [[Chick-fil-A]] amid [[Chick-fil-A and LGBT people|its controversial relationship with LGBT people]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Christian group plans counter-protest in support of Toronto Chick-fil-A|url=https://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2019/09/chick-fil-a-toronto-counter-protest-christians/}}</ref>

===Department of Jewish Studies===
In 1991, the college was the subject of complaints by the [[Canadian Jewish Congress]] for its plans to have a "Jewish studies" department which, it was alleged, would teaching classes meant to train students to convert Jews to Christianity. [[Bernie Farber]] of the CJC said of the college "We will take on any group whose aim is to destroy Judaism, philosophically, spiritually or directly." Rev. Malvern Jacobs and Rev. Edward Brotsky were the dean and vice-dean of the new department and were described as [[messianic Judaism|messianic Jews]].<ref>McAteer, Michael, "Jews question status of college", ''Toronto Star'', November 30, 1991</ref> Jacobs later served as dean of Canada Christian College.<ref>van Rijn, Nicolaas, "Jewish cemetery refuses educator's body --- Man rejected because he abandoned faith, rabbis' council rules", ''Toronto Star'', June 28, 1999</ref>


College president Charles McVety is national chairman of [[Christians United for Israel|Christians United for Israel - Canada]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Christian Zionists under attack by Protestant brethren |url=https://nationalpost.com/fr/holy-post/christian-zionists-under-attack-by-protestant-brethren |website=National Post |access-date=28 October 2020 |language=en-CA |date=May 9, 2012}}</ref> a pro-Israel advocacy organization and the Canadian affiliate of the American [[Christian Zionism|Christian Zionist]] organization led by [[John Hagee]]. The college houses the Canadian seminary outreach program of the [[International Fellowship of Christians and Jews]], one of the foremost humanitarian organizations operating in the Middle East.
In 1998, in response to concerns by the Canadian Jewish Congress, Canada Christian College closed its Jewish Studies Department and dropped classes aimed at training Christians to convert Jews. McVety told ''[[Canadian Jewish News]]'' at the time "We want to make it very clear that the Canada Christian College does not approve of or engage in any process to convert Jews to Christianity."<ref name=cw>Lowes, Carol "Jews for Jesus campaign exposes growing tensions", ''Christian Week'', September 30, 2003</ref> In 2003, McVety joined with [[B'nai Brith]] to participate in its countermissionary campaign and voiced his opposition to groups such as [[Jews for Jesus]].<ref>Scrivener, Leslie, "Jewish leaders take on evangelical promoters; Vow opposition to Jews for Jesus 'Fighting them on street corners'", ''Toronto Star'', August 24, 2003</ref> "As a committed Christian I support the idea of preaching Christianity, but preaching Christianity under the guise of Judaism to those who are in fact seeking Judaism, is plainly wrong," said McVety.<ref>"Jewish and Christian leaders launch countermissionary campaign", ''Jerusalem Post'', August 28, 2003</ref>


Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper received the Israel Allies Award at a gala dinner at Canada Christian College Thursday, October 20, 2022. The award is the highest honor given by the Israel Allies Foundation (IAF) to pro-Israel leaders. The IAF event was held in partnership with Canada Christian College and was attended by more than 600 people, including members of the Canadian parliament, local rabbis and pastors.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.jns.org/stephen-harper-gets-israel-allies-award-for-faith-based-diplomacy/ | title=Stephen Harper gets Israel Allies Award for 'faith-based diplomacy' | date=October 21, 2022 }}</ref>
In 2008, [[Frank Dimant]], executive vice-president of [[B'nai Brith Canada]], was appointed the Chair of the newly inaugurated Department of Modern Israel Studies; he was promoted to dean in 2015.<ref name=dimant>{{cite web|title=A Word from the Dean|url=http://canadachristiancollege.com/ccc_cms/israel-studies-department/a-word-from-the-dean/|website=Canada Christian College|publisher=Canada Christian College|accessdate=December 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222144833/http://canadachristiancollege.com/ccc_cms/israel-studies-department/a-word-from-the-dean/#|archive-date=December 22, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


President Charles McVety is well known for his support for Israel and was ranked No. 15 in the world on the Israel Allies Foundation's list of Israel's Top 50 Christian Allies List in 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://israelallies.org/israels-top-50-christian-allies-2022 | title=Israel's Top 50 Christian Allies 2022 }}</ref>
College president Charles McVety is national chairman of [[Christians United for Israel|Christians United for Israel - Canada]], a pro-Israel advocacy organization and the Canadian affiliate of the American [[Christian Zionism|Christian Zionist]] organization led by [[John Hagee]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=https://cufi.ca/zion/|url=https://cufi.ca/zion/|access-date=2020-10-20|website=cufi.ca|language=en-US}}</ref> The college also houses the Canadian seminary outreach program of the [[International Fellowship of Christians and Jews]], one of the foremost humanitarian organizations operating in the Middle East.


===Muslims===
===Muslims===
In 2011, Canada Christian College invited and hosted [[Geert Wilders]], an anti-Islam politician<ref name=hume/> who has called for the banning of the [[Koran]]. During his speech, Wilders said that moderate Islam does not exist,<ref>{{cite book|title=Islam on YouTube: Online Debates, Protests, and Extremism|author=Ahmed al-Rawi|page=72|publisher=[[Springer Publishing|Springer]]}}</ref> and that Canadian Muslims were a danger to democracy.<ref>{{cite news|author=JOHN MICHAEL MCGRATH|title=Five stupid things Geert Wilders said during his stay in Toronto|url=https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-politics/five-stupid-things-geert-wilders-said-during-his-stay-in-toronto/}}</ref>
In 2011, Canada Christian College invited and hosted [[Geert Wilders]], an anti-Islam politician<ref name=hume/> who has called for the banning of the [[Koran]]. During his speech, Wilders said that moderate Islam does not exist,<ref>{{cite book|title=Islam on YouTube: Online Debates, Protests, and Extremism|author=Ahmed al-Rawi|page=72|publisher=[[Springer Publishing|Springer]]}}</ref> and that Canadian Muslims were a danger to democracy.<ref>{{cite news|author=JOHN MICHAEL MCGRATH|title=Five stupid things Geert Wilders said during his stay in Toronto|url=https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-politics/five-stupid-things-geert-wilders-said-during-his-stay-in-toronto/}}</ref>


Charles McVety, president of the Canada Christian College, has said,
Charles McVety, president of the Canada Christian College, has said: "Islam is not just a religion, it's a political and cultural system as well and we know that Christians, Jews and Hindus don't have the same mandate for a hostile takeover."<ref name="hume" />
<blockquote>Islam is not just a religion, it’s a political and cultural system as well and we know that Christians, Jews and Hindus don’t have the same mandate for a hostile takeover.<ref name=hume/></blockquote>


The Toronto Muslim community rejected the above comment, stating they had no intention of any hostile takeover.<ref name=hume>Jessica Hume, [http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/05/05/anti-islamic-political-leader-geert-wilders-comes-to-canada/ Anti-Islamic political leader Geert Wilders comes to Canada], ''National Post'', May 5, 2011.</ref> [[Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations]] also expressed concern at the remarks made by McVety.<ref name=can>[http://www.caircan.ca/aa_more.php?id=3119_0_3_0_C Ask Federal Leaders to Condemn Anti-Muslim Views of Visiting Politician Geert Wilders] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706171152/http://www.caircan.ca/aa_more.php?id=3119_0_3_0_C |date=July 6, 2011 }}, ''CAIR-CAN'', May 06, 2011.</ref>
The Toronto Muslim community rejected the above comment, stating they had no intention of any hostile takeover.<ref name=hume>Jessica Hume, [http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/05/05/anti-islamic-political-leader-geert-wilders-comes-to-canada/ Anti-Islamic political leader Geert Wilders comes to Canada], ''National Post'', May 5, 2011.</ref> The [[Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations]] also expressed concern at the remarks made by McVety.<ref name=can>[http://www.caircan.ca/aa_more.php?id=3119_0_3_0_C Ask Federal Leaders to Condemn Anti-Muslim Views of Visiting Politician Geert Wilders] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706171152/http://www.caircan.ca/aa_more.php?id=3119_0_3_0_C |date=July 6, 2011 }}, ''CAIR-CAN'', May 06, 2011.</ref>


In December 2017, the auditorium of Canada Christian College was rented to host [[Pamela Geller]], who is known for her [[Criticism of Islam|anti-Muslim]] views, to speak at an event.<ref>{{cite news|title="World's top Islamophobe," Pamela Geller, to speak at Jewish Defence League event in Toronto|url=https://nowtoronto.com/news/worlds-top-islamophobe-pamela-geller-to-speak-in-toronto/|publisher=[[Now Toronto]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Bernie Farber and Mira Sucharov|title=We must overcome Islamophobia in 2018|url=https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2018/01/02/we-must-overcome-islamophobia-in-2018.html|publisher=[[Toronto Star]]}}</ref>
In December 2017, the auditorium of Canada Christian College was rented to host [[Pamela Geller]], who is known for her [[Criticism of Islam|anti-Muslim]] views, to speak at an event.<ref>{{cite news|title="World's top Islamophobe," Pamela Geller, to speak at Jewish Defence League event in Toronto|url=https://nowtoronto.com/news/worlds-top-islamophobe-pamela-geller-to-speak-in-toronto/|publisher=[[Now Toronto]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Bernie Farber and Mira Sucharov|title=We must overcome Islamophobia in 2018|url=https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2018/01/02/we-must-overcome-islamophobia-in-2018.html|publisher=[[Toronto Star]]}}</ref>
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==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
<references/>


==External links==
==External links==
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{{Can-sem}}
{{Can-sem}}


{{authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Bible colleges]]
[[Category:Bible colleges]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1967]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1967]]
[[Category:Evangelical seminaries and theological colleges in Canada]]
[[Category:Evangelical seminaries and theological colleges in Canada]]
[[Category:1967 establishments in Ontario]]
[[Category:1967 establishments in Ontario]]
[[Category:Private universities and colleges in Canada]]
[[Category:Private universities and colleges in Ontario]]
[[Category:Education in Whitby, Ontario]]
[[Category:Education in Whitby, Ontario]]

Latest revision as of 12:27, 16 December 2024

Canada Christian College and School of Graduate Theological Studies
TypeBible college
Established1967; 58 years ago (1967) (as Richmond College) - 1974; 51 years ago (1974) (as Canada Christian College)
FounderElmer S. McVety
Religious affiliation
Evangelical Christian
PresidentCharles McVety (since 1993)
Academic staff
70
Address
300 Water Street
,
Whitby
,
Ontario
,
Canada

43°51′10″N 78°55′29″W / 43.85278°N 78.92472°W / 43.85278; -78.92472
CampusSuburban
LanguageEnglish
ColoursRed and black
AffiliationsThe Evangelical Association, Canadian College of Christian Counsellors[1]
Websitecanadachristiancollege.com

Canada Christian College and School of Graduate Theological Studies, also known as Canada Christian College, is a private evangelical Bible college in Whitby, Ontario, Canada.[2] As of 2020, over 6,500 people have graduated from Canada Christian College.[3]

History

[edit]

Canada Christian College traces its origins to Richmond College, which was founded in September 1967 as a Christian liberal arts college by Elmer McVety (1928–1993), Canadian evangelist John Wesley White (1928–2016) who served as chancellor, and his brother, Hugh White, who served as the first dean. The college, which expected to have 100 students in its first year, was originally located on a 7-acre site at Lake Shore Boulevard and Dixie Road leased from the federal government that was formerly a Canadian Army arsenal. Its degree-granting powers were based on a letters patent from Manitoba rather than a provincial charter from Ontario.[4] McVety was "removed from the board" of Richmond College in June 1969 following a dispute but remained chairman of the Association for Education and Evangelism, the organization he founded in Manitoba in 1963 under which the college issued its degrees.[5][6] (The Association for Education and Evangelism became the Canadian Non-Denominational Association for Education and Evangelism in 1980 and is known today as the Evangelical Association).[7] In 1974, the association launched a theological school named Canada Christian College, with classes being held at space rented from McMaster University in Hamilton[8] until 1980,[6] while Richmond College continued to offer arts programs at its campus at Leslie Street and Steeles Avenue. In 1981, when Richmond College closed, custody of student records was assigned to Trinity Western University in Langley, British Columbia.

In 1982, the right of the Canada Christian College to grant degrees was revoked by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.[9] The revocation followed allegations from provincial officials that BA and MA degrees offered by Canada Christian College were "misleading" because they implied a general arts education. They also alleged they were "useless" for further study or teaching jobs in recognized universities and that the religious studies degrees were similarly suspect as the school was not accredited by any recognized religious educational body. At the time, the school had 300 students. According to Elmer McVety, most of the college's courses were prepared by the Christian International University in Phoenix, Arizona,[6] an unaccredited institution[6] whose programs were considered "academically substandard" by the state of Texas.[5]

Elmer McVety died in 1993 and his son, Charles McVety, took over leadership of the college.[10]

After having its Ontario degree granting authority revoked, Canada Christian College was able to continue issuing theological degrees under the authority of its Manitoba letters patent. However, in 1991 an official at the Ministry of Colleges and Universities stated that the Canada Christian College's granting of degrees appeared to contravene the Degree Granting Act of 1983.[11] Minister of Colleges and Universities Richard Allen agreed that the college was not authorized to grant degrees and pledged the college would be made to comply with the law and only grant diplomas and certificates.[12] In 1998, the ministry ordered the school to close.[10] That year, Progressive Conservative MPP Jim Brown introduced a private member's bill which sought to grant the institution degree-granting authority in Ontario; the bill died on the order paper without being voted upon.[13][10] The next year, in 1999, Progressive Conservative MPP Frank Klees introduced a successful private member's bill (Bill PR-4) securing degree-granting authority for the college in Ontario.[10]

The college is currently an accredited private degree-granting institution listed by the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities and is permitted only to grant degrees "in the field of religious studies and research in higher Christian learning."[14]

Proposal for and rejection of university status

[edit]

In 2020, the government of Doug Ford introduced a bill in the Ontario legislature which, if passed, would give the institution university status with the power to confer Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. Former Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne criticized the proposal, asking, in reference to college president Charles McVety, "Why (would) this government...extend the mandate of the most publicly and vocally homophobic man in Ontario?".[15] Additionally, the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations stated in a letter to Premier Ford that they are "alarmed that your government is intending to discreetly pass legislation that would allow the Canada Christian College to call itself a "university" and award degrees," adding that "The Ontario government should not grant accreditation and degree-granting privileges to institutions that do not meet the anti-discriminatory and anti-hate speech principles outlined in the Ontario Human Rights Code,"[16]

McVety responded to these objections, saying that "the college, its president, staff, and faculty value all individuals, including the LGBTQ community."[15]

Ford was accused of giving McVety a quid pro quo and granting the Canada Christian College university status as a reward for McVety's past political support of Ford's leadership campaign as well as of his Progressive Conservative government. Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath alleged "a backroom deal" between Ford and McVety.[17]

Responding to these accusations, McVety stated that "this Ontario legislation is based upon fairness, not favouritism. It is an initiative that does nothing more than correct a systemic problem plaguing some long-standing degree-granting institutions that are called colleges, and not universities."[15] He further said that "it is sad that the NDP and MPP Kathleen Wynne would recklessly damage the lives of hundreds of students and thousands of graduates with mindless, hateful name calling, all while reading directly from a disreputable source, Wikipedia."[15]

The Ontario government was also criticized for introducing the bill without the Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB) having completed review of the college's request to create new Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programs or its request to change its name to the Canada University and School of Graduate Theological Studies.[18] Liberal leader Steven Del Duca said "it certainly looks suspicious, which is troubling" that the government would introduce enabling legislation before the college has even been approved by the PEQAB.[17]

Speaking about the proposed name change, McVety stated that "It is unconscionable for students, the majority of whom are visible minorities or new Canadians, to have their hard-earned Bachelor, Master and Doctoral degrees marginalized due to outdated naming practices."[19]

Financial information submitted to the PEQAB as part of the college's application for university status revealed that Charles McVety and his son, Ryan, were given six-figure loans from the college's charitable funds—owing $860,000 by the end of 2019—and that these funds were allegedly used to buy jet skis and vehicles—leading to questions being asked in the Ontario Legislative Assembly as well as a lengthy report in the Toronto Star as to how the college's charitable funds were being used.[20][21]

The college, responded to these allegations, stating, "The college, in its application, gave financial information under the promised terms that it would remain confidential. Any such information was improperly posted...The college will provide answers concerning its financial statements to an appropriate authority when requested."[21]

On October 27, 2020, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario passed a motion to "condemn the extreme and hateful invective of Charles McVety and oppose any efforts to make Canada Christian College into an accredited university."[22]

On December 8, 2020, Bill 213, an omnibus bill[23] which included enabling legislation which would have granted additional degree granting status and use of the term university, was passed by the provincial legislature.[24] However, the portion of the bill relating to Canada Christian College was not proclaimed, pending a decision by the PEQAB on the college's application for university status.[25]

A spokesperson for Minister of Colleges and Universities Ross Romano announced on May 21, 2021, that the "PEQAB has recommended that the institution not be granted expanded degree-granting authority or a name change at this time" and that "The minister has reviewed and accepts their recommendation."[25] Accordingly, Romano's spokesperson stated that "the government will not be proclaiming Schedule 2 of Bill 213 at this time."[25]

In response to the decision by Romano, McVety stated that it is the students at Canada Christian College who will suffer because of the "political corruptness" of the university proposal process. He further stated that "PEQAB put forward to the ministry a fraudulent misrepresentation of the college. The government was informed of the misrepresentations but refused to investigate...Our students and campus community deserved better from their government." He also intimated that Canada Christian College would be filing a lawsuit against PEQAB.[25]

Campus

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Classroom space was rented from McMaster University in Hamilton from 1974 until 1980.[8][6] Beginning in 1979, Canada Christian College also rented classroom space in the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) building at 252 Bloor Street West, near the University of Toronto campus, as well as classroom and office space in Newtonbrook Plaza at 5799 Yonge Street[26] in Willowdale.[6][8] In June 1985, Canada Christian College acquired space at 455 Huron Street in Toronto. In 1991, it relocated to a 50,000 square foot facility at 245 Dalesford Road in Etobicoke. In the summer of 1995, the college purchased and moved to a 110,000 square foot campus at 50 Gervais Drive in Don Mills.[8][3] In 2018, Canada Christian College acquired and renovated a new lakefront campus in Whitby, Ontario with an approximately 200,000 square foot building, 600 feet of lakefront and 12 acres of land with a projected value of $43.8 million.[3]

Academic programs

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Canada Christian College houses five primary degree-granting departments: Ministry, Sacred Music, Christian Counseling, Business, and Religious Education. Across these departments, the college offers 14 Bachelor, Master and Doctoral degrees as well as 3 one-year certificates (Worship Leadership, Bible, or Christian Counseling).

The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) has repeatedly rejected applicants whose credentials are based on Christian Counselling degrees from Canada Christian College and have in the past questioned academic transcripts issued by the school.[27] In 2016, a CRPO panel ruled against recognizing Canada Christian College academic transcripts stating that it "was concerned about the discrepancies that appeared in both the bachelor's and master's degrees transcripts from Canada Christian College and stated that transcripts are designed to be sources of accurate and reflective information about a student's performance and progress in an educational program. The numerous discrepancies led the committee to question the credentials presented."[28]

In 2018, the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board expressed its "doubts that degrees from Canada Christian College meet the standards and rigour normally expected of degree programs in Canada".[28]

In response to the Toronto Star opinion article citing these allegations, the college released a statement stating that "Canada Christian College offers a robust and excellent Christian Counselling degree program at the undergraduate and graduate level. CCC does not directly teach registered psychotherapy as a program. Some graduates do choose to professionally go down that path and many have been accepted and registered by the CRPO, some have been rejected."[28]

Controversies

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The president of the college, Charles McVety, has a history of making controversial remarks regarding homosexuality in 2010 and Islam in 2011.[29]

Department of Jewish Studies

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In 1991, the college was the subject of complaints by the Canadian Jewish Congress for its plans to have a "Jewish studies" department which, it was alleged, would be teaching classes meant to train students to convert Jews to Christianity. Bernie Farber of the CJC said of the college "We will take on any group whose aim is to destroy Judaism, philosophically, spiritually or directly." Rev. Malvern Jacobs and Rev. Edward Brotsky were the dean and vice-dean of the new department and were described as messianic Jews.[30] Jacobs later served as dean of Canada Christian College.[31]

In 1998, the Canadian Jewish Congress opposed a private member's bill that would have conferred degree-granting status on Canada Christian College. The Congress alleged that the college's Jewish Studies Department had been promoting the proselytization of Jews. The CJC withdrew its opposition after the college agreed to disband the department.[10][13] McVety told Canadian Jewish News, "We want to make it very clear that the Canada Christian College does not approve of or engage in any process to convert Jews to Christianity."[32]

In 2003, McVety joined with B'nai Brith to participate in its countermissionary campaign and voiced his opposition to groups such as Jews for Jesus.[33] "As a committed Christian I support the idea of preaching Christianity, but preaching Christianity under the guise of Judaism to those who are in fact seeking Judaism, is plainly wrong," said McVety.[34]

In 2008, Frank Dimant, executive vice-president of B'nai Brith Canada, was appointed the Chair of the newly inaugurated Department of Modern Israel Studies; he was promoted to dean in 2015 and remained with the college until 2019.[35]

College president Charles McVety is national chairman of Christians United for Israel - Canada,[36] a pro-Israel advocacy organization and the Canadian affiliate of the American Christian Zionist organization led by John Hagee. The college houses the Canadian seminary outreach program of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, one of the foremost humanitarian organizations operating in the Middle East.

Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper received the Israel Allies Award at a gala dinner at Canada Christian College Thursday, October 20, 2022. The award is the highest honor given by the Israel Allies Foundation (IAF) to pro-Israel leaders. The IAF event was held in partnership with Canada Christian College and was attended by more than 600 people, including members of the Canadian parliament, local rabbis and pastors.[37]

President Charles McVety is well known for his support for Israel and was ranked No. 15 in the world on the Israel Allies Foundation's list of Israel's Top 50 Christian Allies List in 2022.[38]

Muslims

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In 2011, Canada Christian College invited and hosted Geert Wilders, an anti-Islam politician[39] who has called for the banning of the Koran. During his speech, Wilders said that moderate Islam does not exist,[40] and that Canadian Muslims were a danger to democracy.[41]

Charles McVety, president of the Canada Christian College, has said: "Islam is not just a religion, it's a political and cultural system as well and we know that Christians, Jews and Hindus don't have the same mandate for a hostile takeover."[39]

The Toronto Muslim community rejected the above comment, stating they had no intention of any hostile takeover.[39] The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations also expressed concern at the remarks made by McVety.[42]

In December 2017, the auditorium of Canada Christian College was rented to host Pamela Geller, who is known for her anti-Muslim views, to speak at an event.[43][44]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Ordaining and Credentialing | Canada Christian College | Canada Christian College". February 25, 2020.
  2. ^ "Canada Christian College". Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "History | Canada Christian College | Canada Christian College". February 25, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  4. ^ "Evangelicals split over new college", Toronto Daily Star, 18 Mar 1967: 12.
  5. ^ a b "Religious group sued", Toronto Star (1971-2009); Toronto, Ontario, 27 Apr 1977: A5.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Bible college may lose its right to give degrees", Toronto Star, August 12, 1982, pgs A1 and A8 (retrieved via ProQuest)
  7. ^ "History of the Organization". Evangelical Association. Evangelical Association. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d "A Glance at Canada Christian College". www.canadachristiancollege.com. Archived from the original on May 28, 2000. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  9. ^ Williams, Robert (October 20, 2020). "Canada Christian College president Charles McVety. WATERLOO REGION NDP calls proposed university accreditation for Christian college a 'political favour' from Ford". Kitchener-Waterloo Record. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  10. ^ a b c d e McDonald, Marci (December 5, 2006). "Stephen Harper and the Theo-cons". The Walrus. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved December 5, 2006.
  11. ^ "Jews question status of college", Toronto Star (1971-2009); Toronto, Ontario [Toronto, Ontario]30 Nov 1991: A10.
  12. ^ "Canadian Jewish Congress worried over bill that would upgrade status of Bible college [to academic degree-granting institution]", Csillag, Ron. Canadian Jewish News; Don Mills, Ont. [Don Mills, Ont]19 Nov 1998: 3.
  13. ^ a b "Canada Christian College drops Jewish studies", Csillag, Ron. Canadian Jewish News; Don Mills, Ont. [Don Mills, Ont]03 Dec 1998: 3.
  14. ^ "Canada Christian College and School of Graduate Theological Studies Act, 1999".
  15. ^ a b c d Benzie, Robert (October 22, 2020). "Tories under fire for granting university status to evangelical college". Toronto Star. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  16. ^ Crawley, Mike (October 22, 2020). "Backlash grows over Ford's move to grant Charles McVety's religious college university status". CBC News. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  17. ^ a b Benzie, Robert (October 27, 2020). "Doug Ford accused of 'backroom deal' to reward controversial evangelist Charles McVety". Toronto Star. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  18. ^ "How Doug Ford's COVID-19 legislation helps advance his party's agenda". CBC News. October 22, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  19. ^ "McVety won't get special treatment in school accreditation process: Ford". Toronto Sun. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  20. ^ Rushowy, Kristin (May 17, 2021). "Decision on Charles McVety's university application for Canada Christian College coming soon". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  21. ^ a b Cohn, Martin Regg (November 9, 2020). "Charles McVety borrows heavily from his Christian college charity. He also holds a political IOU from Doug Ford". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  22. ^ D'Mello, Colin (November 24, 2020). "Ontario government to fast-track Charles McVety legislation amid public outcry". CTV News. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  23. ^ McLaren, David (December 14, 2020). "Christmas comes early for the deep-pocketed friends of Premier Doug Ford". Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  24. ^ "Legislation". Archived from the original on March 2, 2021.
  25. ^ a b c d Rushowy, Kristin (May 21, 2021). "Charles McVety denounces 'vicious attacks' as Canada Christian College is denied university status". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  26. ^ "Newtonbrook Plaza Redevelopment - Structure 3". urbandb. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  27. ^ Regg Cohn, Martin (May 26, 2021). "Doug Ford failed to get Charles McVety his university — and in trying, he failed us all". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  28. ^ a b c Regg Cohn, Martin (October 31, 2020). "The Canada Christian College, in Whitby, Ont., is at the centre of a growing political scandal over its efforts to receive university accreditation from the province. The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario has repeatedly turned down applicants who rely on their degrees in "Christian Counselling" from the school, challenging its academic integrity, Martin Regg Cohn writes. POLITICS OPINION Doug Ford wants to give university status to a school run by a homophobic preacher. But that's only half the story". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  29. ^ Steven Zhou (December 10, 2018). "Doug Ford headlines Christmas concert with controversial evangelical pastor".
  30. ^ McAteer, Michael, "Jews question status of college", Toronto Star, November 30, 1991
  31. ^ van Rijn, Nicolaas, "Jewish cemetery refuses educator's body --- Man rejected because he abandoned faith, rabbis' council rules", Toronto Star, June 28, 1999
  32. ^ Lowes, Carol "Jews for Jesus campaign exposes growing tensions", Christian Week, September 30, 2003
  33. ^ Scrivener, Leslie, "Jewish leaders take on evangelical promoters; Vow opposition to Jews for Jesus 'Fighting them on street corners'", Toronto Star, August 24, 2003
  34. ^ "Jewish and Christian leaders launch countermissionary campaign", Jerusalem Post, August 28, 2003
  35. ^ "A Word from the Dean". Canada Christian College. Canada Christian College. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  36. ^ "Christian Zionists under attack by Protestant brethren". National Post. May 9, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  37. ^ "Stephen Harper gets Israel Allies Award for 'faith-based diplomacy'". October 21, 2022.
  38. ^ "Israel's Top 50 Christian Allies 2022".
  39. ^ a b c Jessica Hume, Anti-Islamic political leader Geert Wilders comes to Canada, National Post, May 5, 2011.
  40. ^ Ahmed al-Rawi. Islam on YouTube: Online Debates, Protests, and Extremism. Springer. p. 72.
  41. ^ JOHN MICHAEL MCGRATH. "Five stupid things Geert Wilders said during his stay in Toronto".
  42. ^ Ask Federal Leaders to Condemn Anti-Muslim Views of Visiting Politician Geert Wilders Archived July 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, CAIR-CAN, May 06, 2011.
  43. ^ ""World's top Islamophobe," Pamela Geller, to speak at Jewish Defence League event in Toronto". Now Toronto.
  44. ^ Bernie Farber and Mira Sucharov. "We must overcome Islamophobia in 2018". Toronto Star.
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