You may have read these excerpts from a BMO (Bank of Montreal) corporate letter and thought that it was a joke or a hoax, but it’s not. Have a look:

BMO requires (PDF) the law firms with whom we do business to disclose the diversity statistics of their associates, partners and management committee as part of our External Counsel Selection Program. We are the first Canadian bank to do so and are at the forefront of a new frontier in which we not only expect higher standards of diversity and inclusion from ourselves, but our suppliers as well…

At the core of BMO’s brand (PDF) is our commitment to providing customers with a seamless, intuitive and personal connection to our bank. Building this human connection requires customers to view us as more than just a financial institution, but instead as people and partners who understand and reflect their values, priorities and goals…

At BMO, diversity and inclusion are part of our core values. It is the BMO’s view (PDF) that the TWU [Trinity Western University] Community Covenant, which is required to be signed by all TWU faculty, staff and students, is discriminatory. We understand that the Community Covenant requires abstention from “sexual intimacy that violates the sacredness of marriage between a man and a woman.”² We believe that the Community Covenant discriminates against individuals on the basis of sexual orientation and gender expression.

BMO requires “diversity and inclusion” (of themselves and their suppliers). Well, as long as it isn’t diversity along the lines of freedom of religion. They want diversity to be narrowly defined along the lines of “sexual orientation and gender expression” only.

BMO wants to be seen as people who “understand and reflect” their customer’s “values, priorities, and goals.” Well, as long as the values are only values regarding sexual matters not religious matters.

BMO’s core values are “diversity and inclusion.” Well, sexual diversity, not religious diversity.

Come to think of it, the Bank of Montreal seems to be obsessed by sex to the exclusion of all other Charter guaranteed rights.

But let’s just say we were really applying this to religious beliefs and practices? How many different beliefs, lifestyles, and practices can you tolerate? Probably quite a few. How many beliefs, lifestyles, and practices can you reflect? This is a bit trickier. If you work for BMO (The Bank of Montreal) you are expected to “reflect” diversity.

So if a Buddhist were to walk in with a completely shaved head, would you quickly go and shave your head to show that you not only tolerate his beliefs, but reflect them? Well, good for you for going the extra mile and doing that, but what if your next customer was a Sikh? Now you have to quickly explain that you don’t actually believe in cutting your hair and make a good effort to grow it all back (maybe a silly example, but this is a crazy standard). And what if your next customers included an Orthodox Jew and also a Neo-Nazi? You will have to develop and hold several mutually contradictory world views as well. Unless you are a mirror, you cannot stand in front of everyone and reflect who they are and what they believe. And guess what? Most people who are going to banks are looking for financial services, not affirmation of their sexuality or their belief system!! Somehow, BMO seems to have forgotten this.

They don’t stop at requiring this ridiculous standard, of their own employees, forcing them to “reflect” this corporate focus on sexuality and gender orientation, but they are pushing it onto law firms with which they do business as well, and beyond this, any company with which they do business.

So what they really want is “uniform diversity,” not actual tolerance. Are they “reflecting” the views of all their customers and clients or only those who agree with their narrow view of “inclusivity?” The answer depends on who you are and what you represent; if you are part of Trinity Western University’s Law program, they will actually not tolerate you; in fact, they sent a letter to the National Committee for Accreditation demanding that they deny TWU’s status as a legitimate law school. Some tolerance!

They are all for diversity, so long as it does not include Christian Law Schools or absolute ethical standards. Tolerance for diversity, narrowly defined by themselves, is their guiding ethical standard. They have a legal right to associate themselves with like-minded organizations to be sure, but when their goal is to truncate the right of another organization—TWU— to continue to practice and promote its own biblically-based moral standards, then the National Accreditation Committee should put them squarely in their place.

The National Accreditation Committee should tell them to stop bullying and to practice a little tolerance! Don’t ask them to “reflect” TWU’s views, but just to tolerate them as part of a free society. BMO and their ilk need to hear from us that we recognize their idea of “coerced diversity” as a form of bullying; they have overstepped their bounds in applying an arbitrary standard to achieve their socio-political ends.

Those who currently have accounts with BMO or who are shareholders may consider using this opportunity to encourage BMO to show a little tolerance to Christians or to let them know that you will take your business elsewhere (our Ontario President, Jim Enos wrote such a letter; you might want to use it).

Dear BMO Corporate Secretary,

You don’t want business from Christian world view people and that is your choice.

Cancelling my BMO credit card is my choice.

Let me know if you change your mind.

(Your name here)

Short and to the point! CHP Canada recognizes that there will be diversity of ideals within a free society, but this freedom should not be abused by one group to marginalize the legal freedom of other groups.

Stand for tolerance which does not force acceptance, and freedom which does not marginalize law-abiding groups. Stand with CHP Canada!

Call To Action

Join our Deputy Leader, Peter Vogel, at a protest in front of BMO head office, 100 King St. West, Toronto, Dec 5th, from 12 noon till 8 pm. (Corner of King and Bay)

We hope that Peter will have the opportunity to speak to those in attendance.

Bring with you, water bottles and snacks to ensure you’re comfortable. We will each bring our own sign with a suitable message, such as: “Stop Bullying TWU”.

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