FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 21, 2018 OTTAWA, ON – Canadians aged 40 to 54 are increasingly opting for less formal common law relationships instead of marriage. That’s a key finding in the new report Cohabitation Among Middle-Aged Canadians by Peter Jon Mitchell, senior researcher at think tank Cardus. The report cites the latest Canadian census data to show that just over 14 percent of middle-aged Canadians lived in cohabiting households in 2016 – almost doubling the 7.6 percent figure of 1996. And the report shows that the proportion of married middle-aged Canadians declined from 69 percent to 58 percent in the same period.  But these figures raise an important question: How could the trend away from marriage affect other aspects of the lives of middle-aged Canadians?  Cohabitation Among Middle-Aged Canadians suggests the trend toward common law relationships could have several effects: Increased domestic instability – Previous research has indicated that common law relationships break up more easily, and are therefore less stable than marriages. This could lead to increased social isolation among Canadians as they approach retirement age. Negative health outcomes – Extensive research, including the 2016 report Marriage is Good for Your Health, has shown that happy marriages have been linked to improved cancer survival rates, reduced chances of heart, improved mental health, healthier lifestyles and habits, and better responses to psychological stress. The research has not shown the same benefits from cohabitation. Caregiving complications – As middle-aged Canadians move into their senior years, caregiving becomes more important. However, the research suggests cohabiting couples provide less care to each other than married spouses do. The less formal nature of common law relationships can also make the care of an unmarried partner’s aging parents or other relatives problematic. Financial complications – Cohabiting couples are less likely than married couples to pool financial resources. This could complicate long-term financial planning. If children are involved, it could also create difficulties in future wealth transfers as common law couples age. “While marriage and cohabitation appear to be similar, they are distinct family structures with unique patterns,” says Mitchell. “The social science suggests that healthy marriages offer distinct benefits that middle-aged Canadians are increasingly not receiving, presenting them with significant challenges down the road.” Cohabitation Among Middle-Aged Canadians is available for download as a PDF. -30- MEDIA INQUIRIESDaniel Proussalidis Cardus - Director of Communications 613-899-5174 dproussalidis@cardus.ca

DÉCLARATION par Cardus Religious Freedom Institute concernant la décision du Court Suprême du Canada contre le Trinity Western University  15 juin, 2018 OTTAWA, ON – Révérend Andrew Bennett, directeur du Cardus Religious Freedom Institute, a publié cette déclaration concernant la décision aujourd’hui par le Court Suprême du Canada :  « Le Court Suprême du Canada a consigné le droit fondamental de la liberté de conscience et de religion au statut de seconde classe. Cela confirme une compréhension étroite de la diversité dans laquelle les gens de foi sont relégués à la sphère privée. Les Canadiens de toutes confessions auront moins de latitude pour s'opposer publiquement aux opinions de la majorité sur des questions sociales qui s'opposent à leurs croyances. Maintenant plus que jamais nous avons besoin d'une défense solide et claire de la liberté de conscience et de religion et de la foi publique. » DEMANDES DE RENSEIGNEMENTS Daniel Proussalidis   Cardus - Directeur des communications   613.241.4500 x.508   dproussalidis@cardus.ca Concernant Cardus     Cardus est un centre d’études non-partisan d’inspiration religieuse. Il s’agit aussi d’un organisme de bienfaisance enregistré qui cherche à promouvoir une société vivante grâce à des recherches indépendantes, un dialogue public vigoureux et des observations suscitant la réflexion. Pour en savoir davantage, consultez notre site Web et nos comptes Twitter et Facebook.

June 15, 2018 OTTAWA, ON – Rev. Dr. Andrew Bennett, director of the Cardus Religious Freedom Institute, has released the following statement regarding today’s decision by the Supreme Court of Canada: “The Supreme Court of Canada has consigned the fundamental right to freedom of conscience and religion to second class status with its decision on Trinity Western University. This upholds a narrow understanding of diversity in which people of faith are relegated to the private sphere. Canadians of all faiths will have less latitude to publicly dissent from majority opinions on social issues that clash with their beliefs. Now more than ever we need a robust and clear defence of freedom of conscience and religion and public faith.” MEDIA INQUIRIES Daniel Proussalidis    Cardus - Director of Communications    613.241.4500 x.508    dproussalidis@cardus.ca About Cardus Cardus is a non-partisan, faith-based think tank, and registered charity dedicated to promoting a flourishing society through independent research, robust public dialogue, and thought-provoking commentary. To learn more, visit our website, follow us on Twitter, and like us on Facebook.

In 2018 five awards were awarded: Group Excellence Award: a group award of up to $8,000. Excellence in Elementary Teaching Award: an individual award of $5,000. Excellence in Secondary Teaching Award: an individual award of $5,000. Excellence in the Teaching of Creative and Performing Arts: an individual award of $5,000. Excellence in Global Perspective Teaching Award: an individual award of $5,000. Group Excellence Award     Hamilton District Christian High School - Winner Richard Van Egmond, Jared Patus Excellence in Elementary Teaching Award Trinity Christian School, Burlington Audrey McGregor Timothy Christian School, Owen Sound - Winner Cara Barwell Excellence in Secondary Teaching Award Hamilton District Christian High School Leon Hordyk London District Christian High School - Winner Corrina Cameron London District Christian High School Matt Rock Excellence in the Teaching of Creative and Performing Arts Hamilton District Christian High School - Winner Jonathan DeVries Timothy Christian School, Barrie Nicole Strikwerda Northumberland Christian School Alison Young Excellence in Global Perspective Teaching Award Guido de Bres Christian High School, Hamilton - Winner Laurie Koning Timothy Christian School, Barrie Andrew Wilcox, Nicole Strikwerda Toronto District Christian High School Rachael Weening

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 13, 2018   HAMILTON, ON – A London high school teacher is taking home a prestigious John Rozema Award for Teacher Excellence. The Rozema Awards recognize teachers at independent Christian schools in Ontario who nurture student character, local community engagement, and improved school culture in addition to academic performance. This year’s winners excelled in teaching independent Christian school students to care for their communities and natural environment. Corrina Cameron at London Christian High School took the $5,000 award in the Excellence in Secondary School Teaching category. Her students partnered with a local church to help learn about poverty in London. The students did video interviews with homeless and low-income residents participating in the local church’s community program, which taught the students about the humanity, dignity, and value of these members of London’s community. “Independent Christian schools deserve recognition for their commitment to excellence in teaching, which is why the Rozema Awards exist,” said Dr. Beth Green, Cardus Education program director. “The caliber of this year’s winners and shortlisted entries shows that all Christian schools are a vital part of Ontario’s education system.” Teachers from Hamilton and Owen Sound won in the Elementary, Global Perspectives, Arts, and Group Excellence categories, rounding out this year’s winners. The June 13th awards reception in Hamilton handed out a total of $28,000 in awards to be used for the winning teachers’ professional development. Videos of the winners and runners-up are available online. The John Rozema Awards for Teacher Excellence are presented in partnership with the Christian School Foundation. -30- MEDIA INQUIRIES      Daniel Proussalidis  Cardus - Director of Communications  613-899-5174  dproussalidis@cardus.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 13, 2018 HAMILTON, ON – Four Hamilton teachers are taking home a prestigious John Rozema Award for Teacher Excellence. The Rozema Awards recognize teachers at independent Christian schools in Ontario who nurture student character, local community engagement, and improved school culture in addition to academic performance. This year’s winners excelled in teaching independent Christian school students to care for their communities and natural environment. Laurie Koning at Hamilton’s Guido de Brès High School took the $5,000 award in the Excellence in Global Perspective category – a brand new category. The geography and science teacher led her students in creating a campaign to raise public awareness about the drought, famine, and war that plague South Sudan by creating storybooks, presentations, calendars, fundraisers, and special bracelets. Jonathan De Vries at Hamilton District Christian High School won the $5,000 award in the Excellence in the Teaching of Creative and Performing Arts category. The art teacher’s students used the Smoky Hollow Falls along the Bruce Trail to inspire them to create paintings, which they then sold, raising awareness about the eco-park system and raising funds for community meal programs. Richard Van Egmond and Jared Patus at Hamilton District Christian High School earned the Group Excellence award. Using a special school co-op learning and career exploration program, their students built a disc golf course on campus as a creative and positive response to community needs. “Independent Christian schools deserve recognition for their commitment to excellence in teaching, which is why the Rozema Awards exist,” said Dr. Beth Green, Cardus Education program director. “The caliber of this year’s winners and shortlisted entries shows that all Christian schools are a vital part of Ontario’s education system.” Teachers from London and Owen Sound won in the Elementary and Secondary Teaching Excellence categories, rounding out this year’s winners. The June 13th awards reception in the Rock Garden of the Royal Botanical Gardens handed out a total of $28,000 in awards to be used for the winning teachers’ professional development. Videos of the winners and runners-up are available online. The John Rozema Awards for Teacher Excellence are presented in partnership with the Christian School Foundation. -30- MEDIA INQUIRIES       Daniel Proussalidis  Cardus - Director of Communications  613-899-5174  dproussalidis@cardus.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 13, 2018   HAMILTON, ON – An Owen Sound teacher is taking home a prestigious John Rozema Award for Teacher Excellence. The Rozema Awards recognize teachers at independent Christian schools in Ontario who nurture student character, local community engagement, and improved school culture in addition to academic performance. This year’s winners excelled in teaching independent Christian school students to care for their communities and natural environment. Cara Barwell at Timothy Christian School took the $5,000 award in the Excellence in Elementary School Teaching category. Her students visited the Bognor Marsh three times throughout the school year, learning about seasonal changes. They created a calendar featuring their own artwork and research on marsh wildlife to display what they’d learned about this sensitive and valuable ecosystem. “Independent Christian schools deserve recognition for their commitment to excellence in teaching, which is why the Rozema Awards exist,” said Dr. Beth Green, Cardus Education program director. “The caliber of this year’s winners and shortlisted entries shows that all Christian schools are a vital part of Ontario’s education system.” Teachers from Hamilton and London won in the Global Perspectives, Arts, and Group Excellence, and Secondary School categories, rounding out this year’s winners. The June 13th awards reception in Hamilton handed out a total of $28,000 in awards to be used for the winning teachers’ professional development. Videos of the winners and runners-up are available online. The John Rozema Awards for Teacher Excellence are presented in partnership with the Christian School Foundation. -30- MEDIA INQUIRIES      Daniel Proussalidis  Cardus - Director of Communications  613-899-5174  dproussalidis@cardus.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 17, 2018  CALGARY – Think tank Cardus has sparked the beginning of a new, national conversation on renewing Canadian federalism.  “Sometimes you have to get out of the Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal triangle to start a new conversation about building a grander vision for Canada,” said Cardus President and CEO Michael Van Pelt. “And one of the best places to do that is the vibrant city of Calgary, with its frontier spirit and willingness to challenge the status quo.” Cardus gathered an audience of business, political, and civil society leaders at the Glenbow Museum to hear from three deep-thinking Albertans – UCP Leader Jason Kenney, University of Calgary Faculty of Law Journalist-in-Residence Jen Gerson, and Oxford House Executive Director Patrick Nixon – about a federalism that goes beyond jurisdictional disputes and disagreements over transfer payments.  Mr. Kenney delivered opening remarks, taking a step back from the politics of the day to examine the foundations of federalism in the face of new social and economic realities. Ms. Gerson and Mr. Nixon served as respondents, offering their own thoughts and participating in a moderated discussion with Mr. Kenney focused on developing a shared sense of the common good within a pluralistic society. “It was exciting to hear acknowledgement that governments have a role in building the common good, but that they also have their limits,” says discussion moderator and Cardus Executive Vice President Ray Pennings. “That opens up the possibility of renewing the role for all the mediating institutions between governments on the one hand, and the market on the other. One of those institutions is civil society – charities, faith communities, and volunteer organizations – that must play a bigger role in Canada. We’ll have a renewed federalism when we make space for civil society to help our families, workplaces, and communities flourish.” To arrange for interviews with a Cardus spokesperson, please, contact Daniel Proussalidis. -30- MEDIA INQUIRIES    Daniel Proussalidis  Cardus - Director of Communications  613-899-5174  dproussalidis@cardus.ca    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 9, 2018 OTTAWA – Today, Cardus launched the Cardus Religious Freedom Institute (CRFI) – a new national advocate for the defence of domestic religious freedom. Rev. Dr. Andrew Bennett, who will lead the CRFI, says the new Institute comes at a crucial time in our national life. “When Canadians are compelled to violate their consciences in order to participate in a public program like Canada Summer Jobs or regulators of the legal profession can marginalize a faith-based university because the school’s religious beliefs, you know we’ve reached a new low in Canadian religious freedom,” he says. “Respect for public faith has degraded so dramatically that we need to re-educate our public institutions about it.” A multi-faith advisory council will provide counsel to Rev. Dr. Bennett and the CRFI.  The CRFI will research Canadian religious freedom issues in order to educate Canadians and to strengthen the national network of religious freedom advocates. “Central to the Institute’s work is the understanding that religious freedom is the fundamental right of all people, their communities, and their institutions to live out their most deeply held beliefs in both public and private contexts,” he says. Rev. Dr. Bennett is one of Canada’s top advocates for religious freedom, having served as Canada’s first ambassador for religious freedom. He is also a senior fellow of the Washington D.C.-based Religious Freedom Institute (RFI) where he serves as a leader of the RFI’s Action Teams for International Religious Freedom Policy and for North America. To arrange for interviews with Rev. Dr. Bennett, please, contact Daniel Proussalidis. -30- MEDIA INQUIRIESDaniel Proussalidis Cardus - Director of Communications 613-241-4500 x508 dproussalidis@cardus.ca