Domestic

EnglishConnect in Canada

Summary

March 18, 2025

EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Canada, a Canadian nonprofit corporation (the “Canadian Church”), can carry out the EnglishConnect novice program (EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now) in Canada. The EnglishConnect program will be part of the Self-Reliance activities already taking place in Canada. Missionaries in Canada may also use the EnglishConnect program. The Canadian Church may issue OGC-approved certificates of completion to participants who successfully complete EnglishConnect courses. We recommend that the Canadian Church provide a disclosure to each participant that EnglishConnect courses will contain religious content, that they will not carry accredited value, and outlining the cost (if any) of EnglishConnect course materials.

The EnglishConnect program in Canada was reviewed by local counsel. Based on that review, there are no country-specific guidelines for the EnglishConnect novice program in Canada.1 The program should be operated in Canada according to the following general program guidelines:

• The program may be advertised through mass media (newspaper, radio, paid social media ads) or by handbills, posters, announcements in Church, or “pass-along” cards, provided the advertisements contain:
  
  • Prominent placement of the Church’s name;
  • A statement that there is no cost for EnglishConnect novice programs; and
  • A statement that EnglishConnect novice programs are not accredited.
• Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form attached as Appendix A):
  
  • Obtain both parent signatures where possible;
  • If someone 18 or under is actually living on their own, parental consent is not needed.
• Provide every student a hard copy of the Church’s Privacy Notice (attached as Appendix B) and be sure they read it.2
• Do not charge any fees or costs to the participants for program participation:
  
  • Program materials can be provided for free (by on-line download where possible) or purchased through regular distribution channels by local units or directly by participants.
• At least one-third of all teaching must contain substantial religious content by following the revised EnglishConnect novice program. This should easily be met using the revised curriculum.
• Require instructors to complete the required Church training, “Protecting Children and Youth,” and follow all local country standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect instructor who will be teaching anyone under 21.
• Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides.

Online Hosting from Abroad
Online hosting of the EnglishConnect novice program described above from outside of Canada is also permissible and would not impact the legal analysis.

EnglishConnect 3
EnglishConnect 3 is a separate program conducted in association with the Pathway program. For information regarding this program in Canada, please refer to the Church Education key topic on InfoGuide.

1. The EnglishConnect novice program does not require accreditation or registration. It qualifies as a charitable activity under Canadian tax law since it aligns with the Canadian Church’s religious and selfreliance purposes. Since the program is provided free of charge, it is not considered a commercial activity and does not generate taxable revenue.
2. If a student has registered online for EnglishConnect using an LDS Account, he or she need not be provided a hard copy of the Privacy Notice.

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