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Hamilton supports partnership with Christian think-tank, despite concerns

Hamilton City Council has voted 13-2 to enter into lease negotiations with Cardus, which has offered to restore the historic Balfour House.
Hamilton City Council has voted 13-2 to enter into lease negotiations with Cardus, which has offered to restore the historic Balfour House. Nick Westoll/Global News

Hamilton City Council has voted 13-2 to enter into lease negotiations with Cardus – the self-acclaimed, non-partisan Christian think-tank that has offered to restore an historic stone mansion on Hamilton’s mountain brow for use as its head office.

A detailed proposal for use of Balfour Estate, which currently stands vacant and needs more than a million dollars in repairs, is expected to be put before councillors later this fall.

Wednesday night’s debate was dominated by concerns about Cardus’ compliance with city values.

Ward 3 Coun. Nrinder Nann, who along with Ward 1 Coun. Maureen Wilson voted against pursuing an agreement, says residents have reached out to her through emails and phone calls with concerns about the organization’s views on certain equity issues.

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Nann, after a review of articles published on Cardus’ website, says she agrees that some articles “undeniably espouse some viewpoints that could limit the perception of a woman’s right to reproductive health and choice”, “diminish the humanity of our two-spirit and LGBTQ+ residents” and could be seen as “anti-union and climate change denying.”

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Cardus, in a statement, has countered what it calls “unfounded aspersions”, saying it is an “open and tolerant” organization that’s done research on various topics, including poverty reduction, social isolation and labour rights.

Ward 4 Coun. Sam Merulla adds that choosing business partners based on faith-based ideology is a “slippery slope” noting, in that case, “the Catholic church and Catholic school board and Anglican Church and Indwell, we shouldn’t be partnering with any of these.”

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Stoney Creek Coun. Brad Clark goes a step further saying that “to deny a lease to a self-acclaimed non-partisan, Christian think-tank on these grounds, could open the city to litigation, a human right’s challenge or at the very least allegations of religious discrimination.”

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