Both Rick and I wrote about VotePrayServe in April. I looked at the Elections Act and who the website was promoting. Rick connected people off the website, YouTube and Facebook:

People may have a fair argument that On It/Vote Pray Serve.ca is not wholly a MyCanada initiative. But, they are certainly involved in organizing it. And if you have enough MYCanada volunteers involved, Faytene can stay behind the scenes, while giving it a nudge in the right direction, if it’s dominated by “mini-Faytenes”.

Elections Canada investigation concluded the Vote Pray Serve website was election advertising:

We have conducted an investigation of the “www.voteprayserve.ca” website.  We believe that the website amounts to election advertising and is governed by the third party advertising provisions of the Canada Elections Act.

Web based election advertising was a bit of a bugaboo for Elections Canada:

During the course of the 41^st general election, this Office received a considerable number of complaints concerning third party election advertising.  The requirements of the Act, which governed our response, are essentially twofold: to ensure a proper authorization notice by the advertising entity and for registration and financial reporting as required.

Elections Canada fielded a lot of complaints and took a remedial view, notifying web based election advertisers and steering them to the Elections Act:

7. Identification of Election Advertising

The Act requires that a third party identify itself in any election advertising it sponsors and indicate that it has authorized the advertising. Failure to do so is an offence.
[352, 496(1)(b)]

The following wording is suggested:

“Authorized by the Coalition for High Technology Investment”

or

“Authorized by the United Computer Workers Association, Local 2213?

Like many of us who contacted VotePrayServe, Elections Canada had difficulty getting a response.

Although attempts were made to do so, the individuals behind the website could not be contacted directly until after the election. One of the principals was made aware that the website and material associated to voteprayserve.com amounted to third party advertising requiring an authorization statement. The registration and reporting requirements for advertising in excess of $500, at commercial value was also brought to their attention.

Minor typo, the domain is .ca, not .com and is correctly identified further up in the Office of the Commissioner of Elections Canada. That being said the response of Mrs. Grasseshci, the mini-Faytenes at MyCanada and or/those working with them to Elections Canada investigators was:

The principal advised that the total cost of the website and videos was less than $500; that being the cost of web space and web page design. Volunteer artists provided the creative assistance. Although not beyond debate, it would be difficult to make the case that the alleged volunteer services were actually non-monetary contributions by non-volunteers in the absence of reliable documentation.

The website is still online, you can still send money to these volunteers. The Facebook page remains online. As I noted in the prior post the site recommended voting for MP’s and supporters of the now defunct private members bill Roxanne’s Law which was floated by Winnipeg MP Rod Bruinrooge. The bill was defeated in the House of Commons December 15th – 178 votes against to 97 for.

Back to violating the law. Elections Canada has made it clear that the services of the volunteers ( Faytene G, mini-Faytene and friends) would be difficult to document and the case for the $500 dollar limit for Vote Pray Serve not worth pursuing at this time. I think that’s reasonable, this clear investigation and ruling by Elections Canada is now on record. There will be other elections and Faytene,  mini-Fatyenes and friends will not be able to say they have not been warned.

I’d love to hear statistics about how many people organizers believed were there because, it didn’t seem to be that many. Which both saddened and concerned me a little bit. I personally don’t seem to be on any mailing list or social media sites notifying people about it, so I was out of the loop. When I lived in Holland, I was a part of a team that was planning a national day of prayer that took place on 08.08.08 and understand these things take a lot of planning and preparations. If you follow this blog, then you know I’ve been in Peru for over two years now, but with the Internet it’s not hard to stay connected and know what’s going on in the news and with my country’s politics.

So it made me wonder if it was lack of knowledge or lack of interest that led to such a low turn out, but whenever I attended Call events, they had tens of thousands of people. I know the population of our country, and how much less Christian we are as a population plays a part in things like this, but I wonder if they organizers expected or hoped for more. At any rate, I was encouraged and disappointed at the same time.

via: Steve Bremner His picture from the steps of Parliament does show how small TheCry Ottawa  2011 turnout was. This is what attendance at TheCry 2002 looked like.

There was from the one other blog post online, also from an attendee who gave a breakdown of the day and adds this:

I asked God to show me something, a reason to be there. I was still worried about Matthew 6:5 and I just didn’t want to dwell on it…what does it mean? Does it mean Churches shouldn’t show themselves or promote themselves? Does it mean I can’t publicly pray for someone? Does it mean I can’t declare God’s Name outside the church? No. Jesus was discussing the unhumble heart, the heart that wants something to gain. We didn’t gain anything but answered prayers. For we came with our hearts! We didn’t want to be there to show off…or be glorified like the pharicees. No because there was more negative reaction by non believers than possitive. We are laughed at, mocked, called horrible things, called evil, accused of having no right to be allowed to partake in something religious in front of Parliament…the worldly look on with hatered. They hate because they don’t believe in prayer, we’re merely wasting our time.

Psalm 107:52 “Let them exalt Him publicly before the congregation, and before the leaders of the Nation”
I opened my Bible at 4pm…looking for an answer…underlined on the page I opened was Psalm 107:52 and we did…we exalted the Lord before the leaders of the nation.

I’m not ashamed of the Gospel, I’m not ashamed to be a Christian, I’m not worried about what everyone else thinks…and so I carry the cry with me to testify, not because I want attention but because it is utmost important to tell the nations about Jesus Christ. The Gospel is not for Sunday, it’s not for inside a church building it s for the unbeliever and the unsaved. The people outside the church, and whether they want to accept it or not that’s their choice but Grace of God is for ANYONE who is willing to recieve it.

This is not an evangelistic event – it is held for charismatics,  as others have been. The online feed had video and audio problems, and on a Saturday afternoon toward the end of a Canadian summer, not too many people were in front of their computer.

Charismatics are faithful people, who show up when asked. Where have they gone?  Has the leader’s move to the US drained the personality driven event? No politicians, no one outside the sub-culture stood on the steps. TheCry is dependent on donors. Are economics a factor?

The average budget of a CRY is anywhere from $65,00-$120,000 depending on permit, insurance, sound system and media costs. TheCry Canada

Canadians do pray for their country corporately every week in churches, in bible studies and individually, obedience is exclusive to dominionists.  Event driven displays which cost donors thousands of dollars do not faithfulness and holiness make.

“Wow what a day! Great job Canada – our nation is changed,”  tweeted on a day thousands of Canadians showed up at the funeral of Jack Layton, Leader of the Opposition seems out of touch with  what was reality for many.  In fairness, TheCry participants did pray for the Layton family, however the behavior and words broadcast on the Hill seem out of step. Prayer doesn’t put us out of touch, it puts us in touch.

Were there really several thousand watching online?

Thousands were not watching TheCry via the webpage -the stats on the border of the livestream only went a couple of hundred higher than what can be seen in the screenshot above.  I didn’t find TheCry in the GodTV lineup where it’s been broadcast in the past. TheCry Twitter and Facebook were quiet. Something’s changed. Any ideas?

Update: TheCry has posted the cost of the event, what has been raised and what is needed from donors.
Cost: $33,500.00 Raised: $15,610.98 Asking for: $17,899.02

Crossroads general funds budget is down 600 thousand dollars this year.

I don’t follow the finances closely, and I thank readers who do. While I expect some short fall,  given how much broadcasting is a money pit, I wonder how much the Axcess Automation/Axcess Funds scam hurt viewership and giving? Add in global economic uncertainty and it’s no surprise religious broadcasters stand in line begging for every cent they can get.

Since Ron and Reynold Mainse and a cousin were named as finders in a ponzi scheme by the OSC in 2009, only management would be aware of how much the publicity hurt the ministry. Assurance that money was not taken out of the charity still does not rebuild viewer trust, nor should it. The average age of a religious program viewer is 54. Board level changes and new partnerships are no guarantee that young families and younger viewers are going to support a tv show. Tomorrow’s viewers are online. Renyold Mainse was kicked off air along with his brother when news broke, and while Ron Mainse settled with the Ontario Security and Exchange Commission, there is no news about the April 2011 hearing for Reynold Mainse and Steven Taylor, just as the matter isn’t closed with the SEC and CFTC in the US. Reynold’s father mentioned him during the fundraising this week, noting he was working for himself, and that he had helped out with the missions arm of Crossroads during the Haiti crisis. (That was back when he had been taken off-air)

David Mainse made his pitch this week, letting viewers know that he was concerned about cost for the digital switchover required by the CRTC by the end of August. Fair enough, the CRTC had granted a few extensions in the industry, even though Canadian broadcasters have had since 2004 to become compliant.

Mainse mentioned conversions and studio upgrades. I’m assuming he means the Burlington behemoth as well as the CTS stations in Edmonton and Calgary.

I’m not a broadcast engineer or an operations manager, but I wondered how far behind Crossroads is in acquiring equipment and what it takes to convert. Crossroads has it’s HD cameras, I’m assuming they are paid for, they are operational.  Let’s assume Crossroads has 30 high quality Ikemamis. They run about 100 thousand each. Lenses run about 20 thousand each. Factor in extra lenses, say 2 for every five cameras.
If tracks are required, that is approximately 10 to 15 thousand per studio. Digital processors are needed, let’s say 2 in each studio – 6 at about 50 thousand each.

Tripods run about 5 thousand each.
Mics and countryman headsets (for crew) run about 4 thousand apiece.

Converting transmitters and antenna  runs about 200 thousand dollars per station.
Some speciality channels can set up an operational digital station for one million dollars.
The company (like any company) has dedicated servers, that outlay is complete.

Hardware maintenance and hydro varies according to the operation. If a broadcaster wants to digitalize their tape library, it’s a few thousand for that equipment. I would think converting a 35 year old library from tape to video costs would be in staffing.

Since the ponzi troubles the new board has positioned itself for the future with partnerships. The Salvation Army is busy doing Sunday School curriculum programming, the World Evangelical Alliance is appealing to volunteers to participate in MyVu, and is part of what is a rather poor ‘newscast’ called World Report. There is a partnership with a well known religious newspaper in the US called The Christian Post. (Read some of their Canadian news, the conservative slant is, er, interesting). Again this year, Crossroads is partnering with Sony Pictures to promote another Christian movie. The last one gave Crossroads an opportunity to push product from Fireproof, this one is called Courageous.
Crossroads gave most of it’s Circle Square Ranches to Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship who are known across Canada for their skills in running summer camps for kids.  IVCF received an outside grant of 35 thousand to integrate their marketing for the transition. I would think that these partner ministry supporters would help with costs. In the programming end, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada put on a concert called Rock the River, mirroring an equivalent concert promotion in the US. When Robert Schuller Jr left the Crystal Cathedral he teamed up with a family member and formed ComStar Media LLC. (FamilyNet and American Life radio and television) Schuller Jr. filed a claim in the Crystal Cathedral bankruptcy proceedings:

Several Schuller family members have also filed claims in bankruptcy court – Robert A. Schuller, son of the founder, for $1.4 million; son-in-law Timothy Milner for $98,313; son-in-law Paul Dunn for $52,037; daughter Jeanne Dunn for $25,908; daughter Carol Milner for $10,615…

for Crossroads bought into the venture and got themselves use of a tv library. CTS runs a retro comedy block now. A Mainse relative who has been quite successful in the Christian entertainment industry is now back on staff, producing programming and one of his concert shows called God Rocks has aired on CTS.  Crossroads also runs a teen video contest called Check Your Focus. It may wind up as a weekly show on CTS.

Willow Creek made a deal to air their leadership conference and received a grant of 35 thousand from a Canadian foundation. Redeemer College also got a conditional 35 thousand dollar grant to air some of their theatre productions from Stronger Together 2011.

Crossroads hosts mentioned game show coming down the pipes, and a Christmas special which was  filmed in the Middle east that Canadian radio host Drew Marshall took part in. There is a teen show and kids shows in the works. A distribution company has been set up called Tricord Media.
Tricord Media had a website,  and I didn’t grab a screenshot at the time. It was parked online and not updated. I mentioned it in a previous post. There is a Tri-Cord Media in the US being run out of a double wide trailer in Texas. It doesn’t appear to have a website either. I may be missing some of Crossroads programming plans, it remains to be seen what viewers are captured by and whether they have disposable income to support ongoing programming.

The missions arm of Crossroads partnered with Compassion Canada and The Christian Reformed Church of Canada. While CIDA refused to fund Crossroad mission workers this past year, CIDA matches donations to various degrees. As well Crossroads does not pay it’s broadcast interns – they pay their way for a six month placement. I’ve noticed male students don’t seem to apply. Given that there are broadcast internships available which do pay, perhaps they seek those internships out, while female students take what they can get. I don’t know, it’s just odd. Maybe there are male Crossroad interns who are just too shy to go on camera and talk about what they’ve been up to.

While younger viewers have fled tv land or watch what they want on demand,  CTS needs to fill air time and need to distribute their productions well beyond Canada.

As this broadcaster positions for the future, what caught my attention was the appeal by CEO Don Simmonds.  After the Axcess Automation/Axcess Funds publicity, Simmonds was hired as CEO and crossed Canada raising several million for capital costs. Soon after the ComStar deal was announced.

I’ve written about this before also. Mr. Simmonds is convinced Crossroads has 9 million viewers in Canada. A former Crossroads employee pointed out in the comments that Crossroads staff are probably completely sincere in that belief, even if most of us express an understandably healthy skepticism.

Perhaps they factor in internet and YouTube views and then multiply by pi. The bottom line is the bottom line: This is a huge beast that is constantly in need of feeding.

This is what caught my attention in the fundraiser this week. What are the millions needed for?  Mr. Simmonds makes his pitch at 52:25:

And we are even launching a very special campaign where we need 40 people that will each give 500 thousand dollars or more to provide strategic capital to speed up our ability to impact the world through media. And if you feel God calling you to this, would you please get in touch with me directly.

The full transcript is below the fold. 

Next year is Crossroads 50th birthday, and for almost half a century we have had the privilege of helping millions of people know who God is and what He can be to them
Now I want to share some of the exciting new things we are doing to advance the impact of this in the future.
First I want to thank those of you who so faithfully partner financially and through your prayers and for helping us finish our financial year strong. Perhaps you’ve been able to send us a special year end gift or move to a new level of monthly support. Thanks so much.
And there is still a high number of you who watch 100 Huntley Street regularly and who have never give financially. I do want to encourage you to become a financial supporter today and share the load of bringing great programs of faith and values to millions of people.
I can assure you that your investments are significantly multiplied when you give to Crossroads. And it was God himself that created the concept of multiplication and he is pleased when we multiply the resources He has given us. And your support of 100 Huntley Street was multiplied as over 9 million Canadians watched this program in the past year. And in the spring, we took Full Circle, our woman’s program from a weekly to a daily basis, multiplying its impact.We are getting ready to launch a brand new Christmas special called A Journey to Christmas, an award winning production in HD format and your support has made it possible for the true Christmas message to be seen by millions in the upcoming Christmas season.
And waiting for funding are for children, youth and a game show that reinforces correct moral choices, just to name a few.
And a brand new initiative called MyVu I’m really excited about, uses new technology to enable every day citizens to gather and submit video stories of faith from all around the world that we can then rebroadcast. We’ve also just partnered with Sony Entertainment to bring a powerful new movie to Canadian theatres. It’s called Courageous. It’s all about the need for fathers to love and lead their families the way God intended. It will launch in North American theatres September 30th, and over the next few weeks you’ll hear a lot more about Courageous and how your church can be involved.
And we have a wonderful partnership with The Salvation Army that will multiply efforts. Production is underway now for this innovative media based Sunday School curriculum that will give The Salvation Army one of the most up to date methods of teaching young people giving captivating video elements and the internet.
And our missions partnerships enable your mission giving to be multiplied, often taking a dollar and making it 3 or 4. And in September we will launch World Report, a global faith news report that will be seen daily all over the world.
And we are intent on engaging younger people. Equipping for Excellence is our internship program where young people work with us to gain experience so that they can go into the market place trained and ready to multiply their skills for God’s purposes.
And we are even launching a very special campaign where we need 40 people that will each give 500 thousand dollars or more to provide strategic capital to speed up our ability to impact the world through media. And if you feel God calling you to this, would you please get in touch with me directly. On an ongoing basis you can also multiply the use of the resources we offer on 100 Huntley Street. You can actually receive a 5 pack and while it will require a larger gift, we’d like you to give these resources away, to your kids, your pastor or to each of your neighbours perhaps. You could put several in your church library or hold them for birthdays or Christmas presents.
And of course everything we do is multiplied through the power of prayer. We pray with 1000 viewers every day about their own needs, or a prayer request for a loved one. This prayer engine accesses the very power of God himself to multiply our collective efforts in supernatural ways.
And this is why we urge your financial assistance to multiply our positive impact, just like the little boy who brought his loves and fishes to Jesus, his resources were remarkably multiplied.
And your gifts, put into God’s hands will touch the lives of millions for Him.
May God richly bless your life and ministry

Nest year is Crossroads 50th birthday, and for almost half a century we have had the priviledge of helping millions of people know who God is and what He can be to them.  Now I want to share some of the exciting new things we are doing to advance the impact of this in the future.
First I want to thank those of you who so faithfully partner financially and through your prayers and for helping us finish our financial year strong. Perhaps you’ve been able to send us a special year end gift or move to a new level of monthly support. Thanks so much.
And there is still a high number of you who watch 100 Huntley Street regularly and who have never give financially. I do want to encourage you to become a financial supporter today and share the load of bringing great programs of faith and values to millions of people.I can assure you that your investments are significantly multiplied when you give to Crossroads. And it was God himself that created the concept of multiplication and he is pleased when we multiply the resources He has given us. And your support of 100 Huntley Streeet was multiplied as over 9 million Canadians watched this program in the past year. And in the spring, we took Full Circle, our woman’s program from a weekly to a daily basis, multiplying its impact.We are getting ready to launch a brand new Christmas special called A Journey to Christmas, an award winning production in HD format and your support has made it possible for the true Christmas message to be seen by millions in the upcoming Christmas season.
And waiting for funding are for children, youth and a game show that reinforces correct moral choices, just to name a few.And a brand new initiative called MyVu I’m really excited about, uses new technology to enable every day citizens to gather and submit video stories of faith from all around the world that we can then rebroadcast. We’ve also just partnered with Sony Entertainment to bring a powerful new movie to Canadian theatres. It’s called Courageous. It’s all about the need for fathers to love and lead their families the way God intended. It will launch in North American theatres September 30th, and over the next few weeks you’ll hear a lot more about Courageous and how your church can be involved.
And we have a wonderful partnership with The Salvation Army that will multiply efforts. Production is underway now for this innovative media based Sunday School ciriculum that will give The Salvation Army one of the most up to date methods of teaching young people giving captivating video elements and the internet.
And our missions partnerships enable your mission giving to be multiplied, often taking a dollar and making it 3 or 4. And in September we will launch World Report, a global faith news report that will be seen daily all over the world.And we are intent on engaging younger people. Equipping for Excellence is our internship program where young people work with us to gain experience so that they can go into the market place trained and ready to multiply their skills for God’s purposes.
And we are even launching a very special campaign where we need 40 people that will each give 500 thousand dollars or more to provide strategic capital to speed up our ability to impact the world through media. And if you feel God calling you to this, would you please get in touch with me directly. On an ongoing basis you can also multiply the use of the resources we offer on 100 Huntley Street. You can actually receive a 5 pack and while it will require a larger gift, we’d like you to give these resources away, to your kids, your pastor or to each of your neighbours perhaps. You could put several in your church library or hold them for birthdays or Christmas presents.And of course everything we do is multiplied through the power of prayer. We pray with 1000 viewers every day about their own needs, or a prayer request for a loved one. This prayer engine accesses the very power of God himself to multiply our collective efforts in supernatural ways.And this is why we urge your financial assistance to multiply our positive impact, just like the little boy who brought his loves and fishes to Jesus, his resources were remarkably multiplied.And your gifts, put into God’s hands will touch the lives of millions for Him.May God richly bless your life and ministry

When it comes to people involved, the case seems no closer to resolution as court dates are missed.
Canadians became aware of the alleged ponzi scheme when Reynold and Ron Mainse, hosts of 100 Huntley Street were yanked off the air in 2009. While Ron Mainse was re-instated to on-air host position and given the position of Crossroads spiritual director, viewers were told his brother Reynold had left Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. about a year and a half earlier.  100 Huntley Street viewers were pretty much left in the dark until Ron and his wife Ann (host of Full Circle) were interviewed on 100 Huntley Street before re-instatement a few months later. The Canadian tv ministry underwent significant management changes when news of the case broke in the US and Canada.

Gordon Driver, a Canadian who lives in Las Vegas and Freelton Ontario is being sought by the SEC.  Driver was a no show for an agreed US court date in February. The SEC issued an administrative order December 2010 regarding Axcess Automation with a 210 day deadline. The Hamilton Spectator:

Lawyers for the United States Securities and Exchange Commission are asking a judge to force a Freelton man accused of operating a Ponzi scheme to appear in a California court to answer questions under oath about his “ill-gotten gains.”

The SEC contends that Gordon Driver, who lists addresses in Las Vegas as well as Freelton’s exclusive Wildan Estates, has already been a no-show for a February deposition and has refused to respond to the SEC’s appearance requests.

Now the SEC wants a judge to compel Driver to appear so the SEC can determine how much money needs to be paid back and how large a penalty he should receive.

In a December 2009 agreement with the SEC, Driver agreed to turn over his “ill-gotten gains” and pay a penalty, according to the SEC.

Driver and his company, Axcess Automation, are accused of operating a $14-million Ponzi scheme that defrauded more than 200 Canadian and American investors with promises that they would receive returns on their investments as high as 5 per cent a week.

On Feb. 17, neither Driver nor his lawyer appeared at a scheduled deposition hearing in Los Angeles.

While US regulators try to to chase down Driver, the OSC starts another hearing Monday for Steven Taylor, a childhood friend of Gordon Driver, who is also alleged to have been part of the Axcess Automation/Funds 14 million dollar alleged ponzi scheme.

Ron Mainse, son of Crossroads founder David Mainse, and his cousin David Rutledge who is a former employee of Crossrads, settled with the OSC last year. They were named as finders and were ordered to pay back about 400 thousand dollars in commissions they received from their involvement with Axcess Automation/Funds, as well as administrative costs. The OSC found Ronald Mainse and David Rutledge were ‘not party to the fraud.’

The OSC does not have any documentation on a settlement with Reynold Mainse.

Driver was also a former Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. employee. The Mainse brothers and their cousin acknowledged drawing about a third  of approximately 200 investors into investing with  Axcess Automation/Funds.
Reynold Mainse statement. Ron Mainse videos.

To date, I’m not aware that any of the investors in the US or Canada have recovered a dime of the money they handed over in this religious affinity fraud case.

While religious affinity fraud is becoming depressingly common,  this on-going case made the 2010 OSC Enforcement Activity Report.

Working with the SEC and CFTC: Axcess Automation LLC

This case is an example of OSC staff working closely with other regulators, specifically the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). This matter involved activity both in the U.S. and Canada.

In August 2010, the OSC concluded settlement agreements with two Ontario residents who traded in securities and futures contracts without being registered. The trading related to an investment scheme operating out of the state of Nevada by Gordon Alan Driver through his companies, including Axcess Automation LLC.

The OSC, SEC and CFTC have outstanding proceedings against Driver and the Axcess companies. Driver allegedly raised more than US$15 million from approximately 200 Ontario investors. In addition, the OSC has an outstanding related proceeding against two other Ontario residents who are alleged to have also traded in securities and futures contracts in Ontario without being registered to do so.

The son of 100 Huntley Street founder David Mainse and his cousin have been ordered to pay nearly $450,000 in restitution and penalties to the Ontario Securities Commission for their roles in an alleged Ponzi scheme created by a Freelton man.

Ron Mainse, an ordained minister and a leader of Burlington’s Crossroads Christian Communications, was ordered to repay about $138,000 in commissions he received from Gordon Driver, who is alleged by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to be the mastermind of a $14-million US Ponzi scheme involving nearly 200 North American investors.

Mainse was also ordered to pay a $10,000 penalty and refrain from trading securities or becoming a director or officer of a company that reports to the OSC for eight years. Mainse’s lawyer, Jay Naster, turned over cheques for the entire amounts to the OSC at yesterday’s hearing.

David Rutledge of Ancaster, Mainse’s cousin and also an ordained minister, was ordered to pay back nearly $263,000 in commissions he received from Driver, pay a $35,000 penalty, and refrain from trading securities or becoming a director or officer of a reporting company for a period of 15 years.

Rutledge turned over a cheque for $90,000, has agreed to sell his Ancaster home to finance another $120,000 in restitution and will sign an undertaking with the OSC to repay the remaining $88,000.

The OSC’s lawyer pointed out there was no evidence that Mainse or Rutledge perpetrated any fraud themselves or were even aware that a fraud was being carried out.

The OSC also noted Mainse and Rutledge co-operated fully, voluntarily agreed to be interviewed and provided all documents requested. They will also appear as witnesses in the OSC’s ongoing case against Driver, an associate of his and several of their companies.

…A settlement has not yet been reached with Reynold Mainse, another son of David Mainse, who is also part of the OSC’s investigation into Driver’s investment scheme.

The OSC has indicated that Reynold Mainse, like his brother and Rutledge, is not considered a party to the alleged fraud.

Hamilton Spectator

Ron Mainse, former Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. President is now Crossroads Spiritual Director and Executive Producer of 100 Huntley Street.
Reynold Mainse has subsequently appeared on 100 Huntley Street reporting on Crossroads missions.

Ron and Reynold Mainse were yanked off the air as hosts of Crossroads flagship show 100 Huntley Street in June of last year. Ron was re-instated as a 100 Huntley Street host in November. He stated in a televised interview his brother Reynold and wife Kathy had not been employees of Crossroads for about a year and a half.

A US reader asked a few weeks ago if rumours of restitution were true. The OSC hearing was held Friday. David Rutledge was the former Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. Director of Ministries. Reynold Mainse was Crossroads Vice-President of Missions. Ron Mainse said he drew about 50 or 60 people into the scam, Reynold says he involved 15. The OSC says Reynold and Kathy Mainse drew 22 investors in (at 250 thousand dollars a unit). The OSC settlement agreement with Ron Mainse states 45 investors were taken in. Mainse learned in 2008 a lawyer was concerned about the Axcess commissions. He took another 30 thousand dollars and stopped being a finder. He told the OSC he gave most of his finders fees to charities.
Rutledge and the Mainse brothers are ordained ministers with The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. Gordon Driver of Axcess Automation is from Freelton Ontario and Las Vegas.

Ontario Securities Commission August 13, 2010 David Rutledge/Anesis Investments
Ontario Securities Commission August 13, 2010 Ronald Mainse
Ontario Securities Commission August 12, 2010 Statement of Allegations (.pdf)

From the OSC Statement of Allegations:

Rutledge, Reynold Mainse and Ronald Mainse

30. Between July 2007 and March 2009, Rutledge’s trading in the Axcess Automation Investment resulted in investments by about 45 investors totalling approximately USD 2,051,199.39. Of this amount, Driver paid back about USD 746,507.00 to these investors, which Driver characterized as returns on investments.
31. Rutledge provided prospective investors with copies of the Private Offering Memorandum which described the Axcess Fund Investment.
32. Rutledge received commissions directly, and through 6845941, of about CAD 262,818.92.
33. Between July 2007 and March 2009, Reynold Mainse’s trading in the Axcess Automation Investment resulted in investments by about 22 investors of about USD 4,100,000.00. Of this amount, Driver paid back about USD 2,875,054.00 to these investors, which Driver characterized as returns on investments.
34. Reynold Mainse identified and corresponded with prospective investors and provided them with copies of the Private Offering Memorandum which described the Axcess Fund Investment.
35. Reynold Mainse received commissions directly, and through WCC, of about CAD 210,219.50.
36. Between July 2007 and March 2009, persons introduced by Ronald Mainse to the Axcess Automation Investment invested about USD 86,200.00. Ronald Mainse received commissions of about CAD 138,176.88, most of which were derived from investors in Rutledge’s group.

The document is a sobering read –  conduct contrary to the public interest indeed. I’m counting 9 companies involved.  Over 100 investors were scammed, most were Canadians. For background on the Axcess Automation/Funds ponzi scheme follow the tags at the bottom of the post. Prior posts include US regulatory body and court documents.  Crossroads CEO Donald Simmonds who was quietly brought in late last year reiterated that David Mainse sons were Gordon Driver’s victims, a position taken by the religious broadcaster since the story broke last April.

“One of our strong points in the Christian community is that we’re known for trust, but that trust can be taken advantage of or turn into naiveté at times. They were trusting, perhaps to a fault at that point.”

The OSC alleges
- David Rutledge made commissions of 262,818.92.
- Reynold Mainse made commissions of 210,219.50.
- Ron Mainse made commissions of 138,176.88.

Who gets the restitution money? Lawyers? The government? Investors? (called third parties)

Even a New York Times blog is reporting the Axcess Automation/Funds Mainse brothers involvement. I’m posting the Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. statement below the fold in full because it’s been my experience Crossroads posted information has a habit of becoming disappeared.
Crossroads Pleased OSC Hearing Brings Closure to 15-Month Ordeal
Regulator Concludes Mainse Brothers “Not party to the fraud”
BURLINGTON, ONTARIO – August 13, 2010. – Yesterday, the Ontario Securities Commission issued a notice of hearing and statement of allegations relating to a fraudulent investment fund scheme targeting the Canadian faith community, orchestrated by Gordon Driver, which was exposed by the security regulators in May, 2009.

Ron Mainse, currently on the leadership team at Crossroads, and Reynold Mainse and David Rutledge, formerly associated with Crossroads had, on a personal basis, invested in the fund, informed family and friends about the fund and were offered a share of Mr. Driver’s profits. They were unaware that the enhanced returns Mr. Driver claimed to realize were, in fact, based on the alleged fraudulent investment scheme.  In yesterday’s statement the OSC clearly concluded that they “were not party to the fraud”.

During the summer of 2009 a thorough, independent financial audit initiated by the Crossroads Board of Directors confirmed that no Crossroads ministry activity nor any of its funds were in any way involved.

In a nationally televised interview last October on 100 Huntley Street, Ron Mainse openly talked of how he had naively placed his trust in Mr. Driver, whom he had considered a family friend, and did not exercise sufficient due diligence about the supposed investment. Further, he had not appreciated that the receipt in any form of compensation from Mr. Driver was a breach of the Securities Act.

Ron has cooperated fully with staff of the Ontario Securities Commission and has entered into an agreement that was approved at a hearing today, bringing appropriate closure to the matter.   The agreement immediately resolves the Commission’s allegations by acknowledging Ron’s mistake, abiding by an appropriate sanction and completely reimbursing any compensation received.

Unfortunately, the faith community can be easily taken advantage of because it highly values trust in relationships. This situation underscores the need for greater awareness and diligence to avoid vulnerability. Crossroads hopes this terrible experience, now concluded, can be used as a caution to others.

…That raised-arms pose was ubiquitous at the Ottawa Civic Centre as 99% of the crowd – most of them pallid christians of European ancestry – swayed to soft rock melodies whilst chanting lyrics such as “Jesus’ blood washes white as snow” & “worthy is the Lamb of God” and. It felt like a watered-down rave for middle-aged pentecostal evangelists and assorted charismatics.

After the religious entertainment portion of the evening was done with (including a bizarre choreographed version of first contact between Aboriginal and European folks that glossed over the history of forced religious conversions), Elijah Harper was invited to the stage. His words brought tears to my eyes and elicited a rousing Hallelujah! – he spoke powerfully to the reality of the First Nations people living conditions, spirituality and strength. It was the highlight of the evening, imho.

And. Also. Too. A lot of money was on display, in the state-of-the-art television recording and broadcasting installations. Before the religious pageant started, Faytene Kryskow sauntered through our seating area, in not-kewl hoi polloi territory. Apparently the group sitting in the seats below us had not been given the VIP status they deserved.

David Mainse established the nation’s first Christian television show, Crossroads, in 1963. In 1977 he launched 100 Huntley Street, now Canada’s longest-running Christian TV program.

As Faytene led Mainse and the dozen or so people in his entourage to reserved seats close to the stage, she apologized for the oversight, blurting out that the Aboriginal volunteers involved in the organization of the event “did not know who the important people were”. (emphasis mine – BD)

deBeauxO’s mentions two young women:

Two young women, ostensibly members of Faytene’s Yoot groupies (aka Kryskow-Jugend) won my respect.

In spite of the fact they had VIP access passes dangling from their necks, they chose to sit with their Aboriginal friends in the NOT-Very-Important-People section.

You can’t fault evangelist Faytene Kryskow for not knowing the ways of the media, even if they technically aren’t “allowed” to cover her without first asking “Mother, may I?”

Want to bury something? Release it on or just before a holiday weekend. And it is the Victoria Day stat holiday up here in Canada.

She has a notice up on the front page of her website. It reads like this:

Regarding the Armeggadon Factor by Marci Macdonald: I was going to post a video regarding AF because it was in my heart to pray for Marci and video is a great way to spread that love. I was also considering addressing some of the errors, biases an misrepresentations in her book, however, the national media seems to be addressing them pretty well on their own with the many articles being posted exposing this. There is no need for me to add my voice to the mix. I do want to say however, “Bless you Marci and bless you Random House. God’s love for you fills us and we do pray for you to be lead into that love, sincerely.”

If she doesn’t want to respond, that’s her business. But if she wants to take the high road, why not only pray for McDonald and the publishing company in a video and leave it at that?

The Faytene brains trust has probably decided this about Marci McDonald’s book. Progressives in the regular media who would like the book would probably not like Kryskow anyway. It can be made much more difficult to allow them to get things that will help them with their stories by using Faytene’s media rules against them. And those conservatives in and out of the media who find Faytene’s theocratic extras to not be a problem? Well, they are probably listening to the various conservative critiques of the book, so much so, that it all is discredited to them.

As long as Faytene’s support base on Parliament Hill and elsewhere is not paying attention to the book, a blanket “This book is hooey” as Faytene has posted would work fine. “Let sleeping dogs lie, for who wants to rouse ‘em.”

I, however, would have liked to see a detailed response from Faytene Kryskow myself. About a tenth of The Armageddon Factor is devoted to her alone, and if she had been able to cite 20-30 factual errors of the sort we are keeping track of in our special post, it would be helpful for allowing more neutral observers to judge the veracity of the book.

If someone were to say “Do you have a list of these errors? Please pass it on to me, so that I can use it to decide for myself how good the book is,” what would she say? It would be a good idea for her to have one ready, as reporters are going to start using the book, or McDonald, in stories about her.

There is one regrettable feature of her statement though. Now she can use it to say that she is not commenting on the book or McDonald at all. And the regrettable thing about that is that McDonald cites some things that the average person might be wondering about.

Faytene’s statement may fool people into thinking that everything about her in the book is incorrect when it may not be.

And Faytene may never apologize for some things that she has apparently done in public that McDonald reports, such as using the infamous “Hitler youth analogy” sweeping it under the rug of “The entire book is bad!”

“Pay no attention to the youth evangelist behind the curtain. I am OZ!”

(BD here – This is dated May 15/10 and is on the 4MyCanada site. This came in a google alert dated 27/05/10)

This is going to be a tough one for me because I’m in awe of his academic prowess, and have been touched by his kindness. As I’ve watched Marci McDonald start to get her feet under her in broadcast interviews (which is not her natural element) my respect for her has grown as well.  As I’ve listened and read,  I realize she has offered an encyclopedia and roadmap for those of us who are trying to pay attention. I’m grateful for this book,  I’m thankful Ms. McDonald has spoken up again about what our fundamentalists are skittering around doing and who they are attempting to influence.

What Dr. Stackhouse says about this book will influence the very people who need to read it – moderate Canadain evangelicals who, for all sorts of reasons are deaf, dumb and blind to what the Canadian religious right is up to.

About the only thing I can argue about with someone this learned is the cover. John Stackhouse doesn’t like it. I do.

If  book cover designers win awards,  I think Terri Nimmo  should get one for The Armageddon Factor. It’s striking, stark, ironic and clever. The black  7 28 is a laugh out loud message for those of us who watch religious zealots. I’ll take my chuckles where I can get them. The white back lit cross that makes up the first part of the title is an irreverent in your face visual against pretentious piety. It’s fun.

Oh well. I am ready to do some more learning.  This review beats pushing through what has  been grandious political and social sheeple-screaming this past week.
Here we go. Part 1 of Dr. Stackhouse’s unhappy task.

Her account of a putative Religious Right, alas, is not what we ought to be able to expect of such a prominent journalist. As a historian of recent North American evangelicalism and as an occasional journalist myself, I’m going to take the measure of this book according to the two key components of journalism–and of history: information and interpretation (Parts 1 and 2 of this series). On both counts, I will argue, this book frequently fails to pass even minimal journalistic standards.

I will then argue in Part 3 that her conclusions are mistaken—except where they’re not. Marci McDonald—who, during our two interviews, I found to be both intelligent and pleasant—is not wrong about everything. Not at all. In fact, my main regret about this book is that its several flaws will allow those who prefer to do so to discount its important message: There is a Religious Right in Canada and it’s more important than many people have thought. In fact, it is more important than I had thought.

So I proceed with the unhappy task of showing that the book is frequently flawed on the basic level of getting the facts right.

Update: Part 2: Interpretation I found this quite respectfully funny, he ends with a sobering note leading into part 3:

But it would be wrong to stop here, so we won’t. For Ms. McDonald, despite her evident trouble understanding quite what she’s looking at, has nonetheless found something to which the rest of us ought to pay attention. There are, it appears, people in Canadian public life and in the federal government in particular whose views and associations ought to trouble not just the Marci McDonalds but even card-carrying, bona fide evangelicals like me.

Part 3: Conclusions. Understanding. I can’t do this review justice,  go read it.

Forget making fun of the creation-science museum in Alberta. Forget trying to demonize Preston Manning. Forget Charles McVety and Faytene Kryskow, both of whose ministries (according to data furnished me by the Centre for Research on Canadian Evangelicalism, among other sources) have experienced significant drops in funding and personnel over the last 24 months. Focus on Stockwell Day and his associates and the religious culture that spawned and supports them. How have such people become so powerful and stayed so prominent even under Prime Minister Harper, who is not like them (as Ms. McDonald frequently, if inconsistently, acknowledges) and whom no one accuses of ruling the Conservative caucus with a light touch?

Analysis, then, should not be devoted to some supposed cabal of right-wing organizations that seem to me instead to have little direct power (National House of Prayer, the Laurentian Institute, the Manning Institute…). Attention instead needs to be trained on the religious culture that has spawned and supported certain powerful individuals in the Conservative Party. Ms. McDonald’s researches into the Watchmen for the Nations-type of fellowship, into Christian schools and home schooling, into the Word-Faith charismatic churches, and into the growing power of certain forms of Christian television seem to me to be investigations well worth following up by people with better skills in the pertinent social sciences, even as we can be grateful for her explorations of them as first steps.

What’s new with Faytene Kryskow these days? Well, according to a notice that she recently put on her personal website for her work as an itinerant evangelist, the media may not be able to help you find out. (But in the second part of the post, I’ll pass on what I can).

The notice to the media that it needs to ask “Mother, may I..?” reads, as I write, as follows:

Notice to media – any media wishing to attend any of the events that Faytene is speaking at must contact admin@faytene.ca for information on proper protocol. Media who do not go through the proper protocol channels may be asked to leave for the purpose of eliminating un-necessary distractions to the event organizers.

I can imagine Faytene et. al not wanting cameras to come into a church, say. But does this mean that she doesn’t want print or radio reporters to cover a big outdoor event like The CRY, on public property? Can she do this?

And why would she want to do this?

Well, I can imagine that a leftward leaning reporter from one of the Vancouver dailies might have wandered into The Cry Vancouver last year, and been puzzled, if not aghast, with a few things that happened.

What problem could you have with someone from the press who is quiet, respectful of what is going on, and well mannered? Trying to be a fly on the wall?

As someone who attended much of The CRY Vancouver last summer, I noted that the GOD TV cameras at the event could have been construed as disruptive, filming with their handheld camera to get extreme close-ups of people worshipping in the crowd. But although such things might be a distraction, they aren’t an issue, as God TV can be trusted not to look for anything negative.

These days, when news resources are shrinking, “You have to ask us for permission to come!” would result in an assignment editor saying “Fine, I won’t.” But, my previous posts on Kryskow have noted that she may well be newsworthy.

If editors are wise, they might think that Kryskow fears being caught in a gaffe, and realize that the “hidden camera” approach might be an idea.

Why may that be case?

Faytene is conscious of her public image. Last fall, she showed a moderate and quiet side to her in an appearance on 100 Huntley Street. Perhaps remembering Shirley Temple films as a little girl, she did a pirouette for David Mainse.

A few months previously, at The Cry Vancouver, she occasionally showed her dominionist leanings. I’d like to recite one example of something that she might not like a media reporter to have on videotape.

On Friday, August 14, 2009 Kryskow was on stage at a Vancouver church talking, leading up to taking the offering in the next few minutes. She was in the middle of discussing the possible political results of a past Cry conference (which she also recounts in her recent book Marked ). She was waiting for the audio-visual crew to throw up a graphic with past political poll results to make her point when she said this:

“I want to show you guys something that will help you, will help us all together, to understand the power that is in our hand, the power that is in this room and the power that will be in our hands tomorrow. What you’re seeing right here is actually a political graph because that is what the newspapers, in Canada, currently track. This is politics, like, and like hockey and stuff. One day we’ll chart spiritual progression when we control the media. (Audience cheers and applause”

I suspect that Kryskow, like me, has a painfully dry sense of humour. But what I was struck by is the matter-of-fact tone of her voice when she made this remark, sort of like how you would say “I’m going to the store to get some bread.” “Oh, we’ll control the media one day and it is going to be very different…”

[I'll add emphasis to what I wrote then to give the media another suggestion.]

I figure that non-Christian reporters might want to cover her in self-defense before they have to ask themselves “I wonder why that theocratic-minded new editor just fired me….” At least start a file on her or something…

I will say one very little thing for Todd Bentley. He has had protesters come in and disrupt his service, but he hasn’t put anything formally banning the media from his services on his website. But Faytene has…as Bentley is cooperating with a documentary made by an independent filmmaker.

Can we have an explanation from her why this is necessary? Does she have examples of the media being disruptive?

Well, I guess that until you control the media, you can just order them not to show up. Or at least say “Mother, may I…” first.

I felt that, given what Faytene put on her site, I needed to call my Mom to ask if it is all right if I can pass on some Faytene news that I have learned. But I am pretty sure she–Mom, that is–would say “Yes, you may.”

I have heard, though the grapevine, that the next The Cry, is planned to be held in the midst of the next federal election. None will be held until the writ is dropped, unless things change, Faytene is reported to be saying, at this present time.

As I mention, I do like some elements of The CRY, and if politicians interpreted one held during the election as meaning that social conservatives want their voices to be heard and Jesus given a witness–and no more–I think it would be a fine thing. But as I tried to note in my report on The Cry in Vancouver, The CRY has been rife with dominionist thinking which is very very bad.

I see that the Tories have a 10 point lead on the Liberals in the latest polls, which is close to what they need for a majority, but not quite there. If a CRY was held in the middle of an election and the Tories were to win a majority, I wonder if Faytene Kryskow would be temped to go to sympathetic Tory MPs and say. “Say do you realize that I and my friends did this and so…and you won a majority.” We know that last year, Kryskow was hinting heavily–both in her book Marked, and at The Cry Vancouver, that the Tory vote might have been helped by an earlier CRY on Parliament Hill. If–God forbid–this were to happen again, I wonder if the MPs would then think that she has some clout amongst conservative activists or youth. With her dominionist ideas, I wonder if she then might be tempted to do some mischief.

I’m not a partisan Conservative, so this would make me go “Ewww…”

At any rate, with Kryskow’s recent admonition to the media, I wonder, tongue in cheek, if she may be taking lessons in the handling of the media from the Wizard of Oz.

“Pay no attention, reporters, to The Cry rally that I plan for during the election campaign! I am Oz! Er, Faytene.”

If we see Fatyene Kryskow trying to rent a giant, floating in the sky, animatronic head at a party supply shop, on the day that Stephen Harper calls the election, we will know for sure.

Am I any closer to understanding how CTS can claim CITS Media Resources Organization is a charity able to issue tax receipts? Not exactly. Closer, but not fully understanding this ‘charity’ legally yet.

In the meantime I said I’d post a history of CTS (Crossroads Television System).

Rather than re-invent the wheel may I point you to an excellent historical summary of CTS from the Canadian Television Foundation. The article is in plain English and gives a succinct overview.

Television system is a unique Canadian term which refers to TV stations which share common ownership, brand and programming.
CTS is a privately owned non-profit with shareholders who expect a reasonable return on their investment. CTS hasn’t said that to me personally, I’m drawing that conclusion based on an email from a former employee and this comment at ChristianWeek. If I’m wrong, by all means pipe up.

CTS is regulated by Industry Canada and the Canadian Radio-Television & Telecommunications Commission. It is carried to consumers by Bell and Shaw (StarChoice) by satellite, and is also on cable in most provinces and territories in Canada. According to the CRTC religious broadcasting policy:

Accordingly, the Commission considers that any religious organization or foundation using the Canadian broadcasting system to solicit funds should be a charity, and should be registered as such with Revenue Canada in accordance with the Income Tax Act. Registered charitable organizations or foundations must, among other requirements, make available an annual public information return describing the charity’s purpose and activities and setting out financial details regarding receipts and disbursements.

Yesterday I asked how a non-profit media company could call an appendage of the company a charity.
The appendage is called CITS Media Resources Organization, marketed under Our Cause at the CTS website and website called Hope for TV.

There are days I realize how much I don’t know. This has been one of them. Any corporation or company can decide at any stage in it’s life to file a letters patent, that’s not at all unusual.
CTS made it’s application in 2008.
Yep, CITS Media Resources Organization has been on Corporation Canada’s website since October 2008.

October 2, 2008 to be precise this application was filed in the municipality of Burlington. CITS is licenced to broadcast by Hamilton with repeaters in London and Ottawa. In 2008 CTS got a licence to broadcast out of Edmonton and Calgary.

On October 27, 2008 a copy of a letter from a representative of the Industry Minister was attached to file # 449772-4.

The first three directors were Richard Grey, former President of CTS, Janine Maxwell, a businesswoman from the USA, and  Rev. Keith Parks of Bethel Pentecostal Assembly in BC. Does anyone know who the directors are now?

I scoured Alberta and Ontario Gazettes yesterday, and it finally twigged to try Canada Gazette. A reader thought to look also and sent the link.

That answers my question. Sort of. By what authority does CITS Media Resources Organization have the right to call itself a charity? If I am reading correctly – by the authority of former Industry Minister Jim Prentice.

(Update: Sarcasm aside, Industry Canada cannot grant charitable status. The remaining question is this: has this corporation registered as a for profit or a not for profit? It’s been Gazetted, the next step would be application to Revenue Canada Charities)

A letter of patent is the public granting of a right, in this case a request by CTS (a media organization) to have it’s own charity. Canada Gazette is the official newspaper or publication of government, a public announcement of record.

I’m not a lawyer and I don’t play one online, I’m not a politician or a business owner.
I’m just trying to figure out why a religious broadcaster applied for a charity appendage in 2008 and unveils it now; knowing that for all intensive purposes CTS is robbing it’s home donor base.
I’m trying to figure out where the tax receipts will come from because there is no listing for CITS Media Resources Organization federally- and located where I’m used to finding charities listed – Revenue Canada Charities.

Is this an opps? Was this marketed before Rev Can Charities approval?

Ms. Maxwell, one of the original applicants may be a Canadian citizen, a dual citizen or a US citizen.
I don’t know. Perhaps citizens of other countries are permitted to set up or help set up Canadian charities.
Dick Gray was president of CTS and owner of Dick Gray Broadcasting Consulting. We don’t know if the original applicants are current charity directors.

According to the letters patent, this CTS ‘charity’ is permitted to operate in Canada and elsewhere. Elsewhere?

Who oversees this CITS Media Resources Organization?

Given what happened with the alleged ponzi scheme with Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. this summer, is this CTS charity something donors can put trust into?

My brain is about the consistency of poutine as I write this. Two days of scouring gazettes, newsletters, and regulations to find out where this charity sprang from is tiring. And depressing.
Shining through all the legalize is a great deal of ambition.
Religious programming in Canada is not very transparent.
Canadians don’t pay much attention. We are stuck with channels like CTS, and like any speciality channel we aren’t interested in, we don’t tune in.

If you are interested in the goals of CITS Media Resources Organization (which go beyond the ads and glossy brochure in the letters patent) let me know and I’ll lay them out in a post. I think CTS has some talented broadcasters, who believe with all their hearts they are working for God. They work hard, do they have any input or awareness?

As a Christian who worked in ‘liberal/secular’ media, and a bit in religious media, I don’t like the approach the marketing has taken.

It’s fear based, shallow, and targeting vulnerable people. Parents in Canada have v-chips in their TVs. They are capable of monitoring their kids viewing, and making decisions without a religious broadcaster telling them their new ‘charity’ appendage can do it for them. Other vulnerable groups may sincerely believe they are giving to God in giving to The Cause, when giving may be effective closer to home.

The CRTC licence granted to CTS Alberta weighed out the conflict Canadian Christians are expressing. Some feel Canada needs more religious programming, some don’t. Some object to balanced programming.
In a 2004 article in Mediacaster Magazine, called Channelling Faith, the author looks at religious broadcasting in Canada.

However, the model of religious broadcasting which CSNY sang about, is strictly American evangelicals. Their congregations number over 10,000 and the level of bombast, dire predictions, and product pitches (they sell a lot of books and VHS tapes) is not reflected in the Canadian faith programming, however these preachers do buy time on the Canadian channels. And, proving that forgiveness is still a hallmark of the Christian faith, Bakker is back on the air (and can be found on Miracle Channel) – and Swaggart and Falwell of course, still have their shows, but not on Canadian television.

Can you picture 100 Huntley Street’s David Mainse, now retired, who had been on Canadian television for over 40 years, dancing, or waving his arms around predicting where the hellfire will strike, or hollering at viewers, or dissolving into raging tears? Thought so. This is not the model of faith broadcasting in Canada.

That’s reflective of the viewers, says Miracle Channel’s vice-president, broadcasting Gord Klassen. “There is a totally different dynamic of viewers in Canada than in the States,” he says. Some of the things that have gone on with some of the religious broadcasters in the States, that would just not be tolerated up here… it’s less glitz and flash.”

Indeed, a look at the Canadian programming on our faith channels shows no wild Canadian preachers and a lot of sober, thought-provoking discussion where the underlying message is largely Christian. While U.S. evangelicals are likely to use a Bible-verse-fuelled verbal jackhammer, sometimes complete with a similar decibel level, to make viewers into believers and donors, the Canadian way is more along the lines of, “we have a message that we want to talk about, but do it in a way that you would do it if you were talking to people over a table at Tim Horton’s,” explains Klassen. “It’s a lot more laid back, and real. I think that’s the way I’d put it.”

“We’re not going to beat people over the head until they convert,” adds NowTV’s Jeff Thiessen. “The pink hair doesn’t fly with us.” NowTV is a Vancouver-based Christian broadcaster which also holds a license for Winnipeg, which it plans to put to use this fall.

That was 2004, I think the conclusions are less true. Think of Canadian religious broadcasters as the branches of a tree, not the trunk. There are  offshoot companies from these broadcasters.  Peter Youngren has started GraceTV and is comfortable modelling US televangelists.
CTS runs retro shows from the US as well as originals, balanced and ministry according to their CRTC mandate.
How many of CTS ministry shows below (click on the ministry link above) do you see as originating in the US?
How many originate from the US on other religious broadcasting channels in Canada? The duplication of programming on religious channels  is not going to be solved by a CTS charity for new programming (among other goals).
Media is a business, airtime is bought. Advertising is bought.
I hope potential donors go into this with their eyes wide open.

CTS Facebook
CTS Twitter
CITS – wiki