FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 19, 2018 Hamilton, ON – If Ontario Power Generation (OPG) construction contracts were tendered openly and fairly to all qualified bidders, the estimated $25.8 billion refurbishment of the Bruce and Darlington nuclear plants might be as much as $5.2 billion lower. According to the new Cardus report, Skimming off the Top: How Closed Tendering Weakens our Ability to Pursue the Public Good, restricted bidding based on union affiliation adds up to 25 percent to project construction costs and reduces the pool of bidders by 84 percent. Bidding on OPG construction contracts is limited to firms affiliated with a subset of building trades unions. That means fewer bidders, leading to higher costs for the Bruce and Darlington refurbishment projects – possibly as much as $5.2 billion higher than open, fair bidding would have achieved. “Restricted bidding isn’t in the public interest,” says report author Brian Dijkema. “It makes the construction of public infrastructure less affordable by inflating costs. And it stacks the deck in favour of a small group of firms based on union affiliation, which is unfair to taxpayers and to workers in the broader construction industry.” Dijkema notes that costs are only one issue to consider. Restricted bidding is also fundamentally unfair. “To disqualify a firm whose workers have made a choice to join one union or another is completely contrary to the purpose of government, whose job it is to rule for all, and which has a constitutional obligation not to discriminate against people for exercising their rights,” Dijkema says in Skimming off the Top. To access Skimming off the Top, click here. -30- MEDIA INQUIRIES Daniel Proussalidis Cardus - Director of Communications dproussalidis@cardus.ca Office: 613-241-4500 x508

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 16, 2018 A new study by think tank Cardus suggests the cost of British Columbia’s public infrastructure projects could balloon by up to $6.4 billion if the province moves to restrict bidding on construction contracts.  The provincial government has mused about imposing project labour agreements (PLAs) on infrastructure construction. Restrictive PLAs limit bidding on construction projects to firms based on union affiliation. Any firms not affiliated with those unions workers would be forced to pay dues to a union that they did not choose in order for their company to bid on work. The province has an estimated $25.6 billion worth of bridges, roads, hospitals, schools, and B.C. Hydro projects planned over the next three years, media reports suggest. The new Cardus report, Skimming off the Top: How Closed Tendering Weakens our Ability to Pursue the Public Good, cites research that shows restricted bidding typically blocks eight out of 10 contractors from bidding on work, forcing up contract prices by anywhere from two to 25 percent. Based on that research, restrictive PLAs could add from $512 million to $6.4 billion to B.C.’s future infrastructure construction costs. “Restricted bidding isn’t in the public interest,” says report author Brian Dijkema. “It plays favourites with a small group of firms, placing specific corporate interests over the interests of the public paying for the projects, the interests of construction workers, and the interests of the construction industry.” Dijkema notes B.C.’s debate over PLAs isn’t just about public dollars. “At its heart this is about whether the government will respect the diverse choices of all of its citizens, or stack the deck for those who align with the government,” he says. “Union, alternative union, and non-union labour are all deeply embedded in B.C.'s public construction industry, and have been for years. Government's role is not to pick winners in a diverse labour landscape; it is to ensure a fair, transparent, and competitive procurement process for all of it citizens, for the public interest."  To access Skimming off the Top, click here. -30- MEDIA INQUIRIES Daniel Proussalidis Cardus - Director of Communications dproussalidis@cardus.ca Office: 613-241-4500 x508

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  July 9, 2018 OTTAWA – A new poll suggests newcomers to Canada are more open than Canadians generally are to seeing religious and faith community participation and influence in the country’s social and political debates. An Angus Reid Institute poll done in partnership with Cardus found that almost two-thirds of immigrants (64%) say religious voices should have some or a major influence in Canadian public life. That compares with 49% of Canadians generally who take the same view. “We’ve seen courts begin to close the public square to the public expression of faith and even provincial and federal governments try to keep religion in its own private corner,” says Ray Pennings, Cardus Executive Vice President. “But as immigrants tell us – many from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa – the enforced secularism we increasingly see in Canada is at odds with their expectations and values. If Canada is to keep welcoming newcomers, it will need to accommodate voices of faith.” The poll also found immigrants take a distinct view of the contributions of religious communities. A full 57% of immigrants agreed that religious communities make a “very good” or “more good than bad” contribution to Canada and Canadian society. Only 36% of Canadians in general said the same thing. Immigrants also credited religious communities with helping them settle into life in Canada. About half of immigrants (49%) say religious communities helped them find a job and a place to live, or to get language training after they arrived in Canada. More than six in 10 immigrants say religious communities helped give them a social network. And 65% of immigrants say religious communities provided them a spiritual home during their transition to life in this country. “Religious communities are leaders in supporting and setting up immigrants for success in Canada,” says Pennings. To see full poll results and methodology, please, click here. MEDIA INQUIRIES Daniel Proussalidis Cardus - Director of Communications 613-241-4500 x508 dproussalidis@cardus.ca

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