Ontario Multifaith Council

The Ontario Multifaith Council on Spiritual and Religious Care is a not-for-profit, charitable organization representing a wide range of faith groups in the province of Ontario. Through a Memorandum of Agreement, signed with the Government of Ontario December 1992, the Ontario Multifaith Council was given the responsibility to:

Ensure adequate and appropriate religious services and spiritual care for persons in directly-operated and transfer payment institutions and community-based agencies and programs
Assist in the formation of appropriate responses to spiritual and religious needs
Collaborate in the development of policies and standards which safeguard spiritual care and religious rights and practices
Provide an effective liaison between the faith groups of Ontario and the provincial government

Brief history of Ontario Multifaith Council
Ontario Multifaith Council quick facts
Ontario Multifaith Council Privacy Policy
Mission Statement
OMC Membership

OMC is the advisor to the government on religious services and spiritual care issues, standards and practices. Regional Multifaith Committees (RMC’s), work with facilities and faith communities within a specific geographical area. OMCSRC and RMC representatives are appointed by their faith groups and are responsible to their faith communities.

Objectives

To advise Government

On standards of care
On compliance with rites and customs of the Faith Groups
Of the views of the Faith Communities of Ontario

To be an advocate

For spiritual and religious care of persons under care or custody
For adequate and appropriate access to religious rites and practices
For standards for professional spiritual and religious care practice
For the exercise of religious rights and freedoms

To provide a forum

For the voices of working spiritual and religious caregivers.
For the OMC and its Regional Multifaith Committees.
For the Reintegration Community.

Functions

The Ontario Multifaith Council in collaboration with its Regional Multifaith Committees, have the following functions and shall:

Collaborate with the Province

to develop standards, policies and procedures
to provide informed advice on religious rights issues
to validate S&R Care qualifications for Public Services positions
to provide training and education opportunities for S&R Caregivers
to provide information resources for S&R Caregivers
to support the link between institutions and local communities
to encourage, review and oversee research projects

Develop mechanisms

to effectively advocate for religious rights and spiritual care practices
for effective collaboration with those sharing similar goals
to facilitate communication among the OMC, Faith Groups and chaplains
to encourage Faith Groups and local communities’ involvement in S&R Care
to promote, develop, and distribute resources