Is it Boom times for PMO’s God Squad?

Two of Canada’s religious TV channels have new CEO’s. Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. appointed Don Simmonds as CEO and chairman of the board in October. The press release released to ChristianWeek this week claims Simmonds was the founder of Clearnet. The charity founders two sons were finders for a ponzi scheme and were yanked from the air earlier this year. One son has returned in a lesser position as Spiritual Director and Executive Producer of 100 Huntley Street.

The Miracle Channel which saw the resignation of it’s founder over an affair has appointed Leon Fontaine of Winnipeg Springs Church as new CEO effective January 1, 2010.

Street preacher Art Pawlowski who doesn’t like by-laws, has been found not guilty of five City of Calgary bylaw violations and two provincial traffic safety violations going back to 2007. He has since stopped using his sound system, and has more by-law violations to contest.

Christian Horizons appeal of an OHRC employment case was hear in an Ontario Division Court this week. The organization runs 200 homes for 1400 disabled adults and is paid by the province of Ontario. Christian Horizons has operated for 40 years. The OHRC 2008 ruling stated the organization had no right to fire employee Connie Heinz because of violation of their morals code which the organization dropped after the OHRC ruling.  Intervenors in the appeal included Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and the Canadian Council of the Christian Charities. The court decision is expected in about six months.

The United Church of Canada wants to know why Immigration Minister Jason Kenney called them anti-semitic in a speech Wednesday. From KAIROS:

Addressing the Global Forum to Counter Anti-Semitism in Jerusalem, Minister Kenney described his government’s fights against anti-Semitism and, as an example, said the government had “defunded organizations … like KAIROS for taking a leadership role in the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign” against Israel.

Other denominations falling under  the cabinet ministers remarks include The Anglican Church of Canada,  Presbyterian Church in Canada, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Mennonite Central Committee – Canada. The denominations are part of KAIROS which has operated for 35 years. Kenney’s office cited other sources and did not address his remarks.

Kenney’s office pointed to critical comments made by an Israel-based group. The NGO Monitor said KAIROS is a “main supporter of the anti-Israel divestment movement in Canada,” and gave a $25,000 grant in 2007 to Sabeel, a Palestinian NGO whose leader “employs anti-Semitic themes and imagery.”

Kenney’s office also pointed to a 2006 press release from B’nai Brith and Canadian Christian College president Charles McVety calling on CIDA to stop funding KAIROS.

Paul Ouellet,  who pleaded guilty to two sexual assault charges against minors  has taken out an ad in a Quebec paper explaining why he did the crimes, which occurred in the late 1980’s early 1990’s. The 63 year old was the subject of a four year investigation. 8 charges were laid. He blames the victims and his divorce and says the charges were false. The ad, placed in La Frontière last week, can be seen in a screen shot at the CBC.  Ouellet is the brother of Cardinal Marc Ouellet,  Quebec Archbishop and Primate of Canada of Canada for the Roman Catholic Church.