Canada, Eh!

canada eh
Picture of Andrew Cherry
Andrew Cherry
Andrew was born into a Salvation Army family in Windsor, Ontario, and spent the largest part of his childhood and youth in Owen Sound. He moved to Oshawa in 1995 (although still back-and-forth to university until 2000). Andrew is a Trombone player, Model Railroader, and huge Toronto Blue Jays fan! and, currently works with The Salvation Army Bowmanville, Ontario.

It’s that time of the year again, the time we take to celebrate the birth of our nation. We turn our thoughts to all things Canadian; the noble Mounties on horseback dressed in their red serge splendour, the mighty moose, the fluffy beaver, the majestic Canadian goose, and of course, everyone’s favourite (and one of God’s most tasty creations), maple syrup. I’m sure the list can go on. We even see more and more flags going up and our proud maple leaf prominently displayed everywhere. We are awash in a sea of red and white.

It’s that time of the year again, the time we take to celebrate the birth of our nation. Share on X

Our anthem is also forefront in our minds these days as a bill was passed to officially change the words in the line “in all our sons command” to “in all of us command”. It created quite the debate! This is not the first time in history that the words to O Canada have been changed (in the English translation), and this change actually brings the words back, or close to it, to what they were originally when the line said, “thou dost in us command”.

We are awash in a sea of red and white. Share on X

When I was younger and in the early grades of school, I remember when we used to sing more “we stand on guard for thee” lines than what we do now. It was also in 1982 when O Canada officially became our anthem (with the repatriation of the constitution, etc.) that the line “God keep our land glorious and free” was added in, replacing some of the many “we stand on guard for thee” lines.

Unfortunately, we usually only sing the words to the first verse. It is a reality that many people don’t even realize that there are more verses to O Canada. They also don’t realize that when they sing the anthem that they are actually singing a prayer, a prayer to God to keep our land free and glorious that it is. Personally, I like the words to the last verse, and wish that it would be sung more as it is also a prayer in and of itself.

God Keep our land, glorious and free Share on X

“Ruler supreme, who hearest humble prayer,
Hold our dominion in thy loving care.
Help us to find, Oh God, in thee
A lasting rich reward.
As waiting for the better day,
We ever stand on guard.

God Keep our land, glorious and free
Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee.”

Even though we have Remembrance Day set aside to reflect on and honour those that have given us this freedom, we should also take a moment this Canada Day (or to some, it is still affectionately referred to as Dominion Day) to pause and remember those brave men and women who, throughout the years from the War of 1812 to Afghanistan and in Peacekeeping missions, are in harm’s way to maintain our way of life and freedoms, and also those many Police, Fire, and EMS personnel who are out there every day keeping us safe and doing God’s work keeping us glorious and free!

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Code of Conduct for all Mission Partners of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda

1. Purpose
To provide mission partners with guidelines regarding their expected behaviour while undertaking work on behalf of TSA. The code of conduct states TSA’s commitment to operating in an ethical and legal manner that aligns with TSA’s mission, vision, values and Orders and Regulations. The code of conduct serves as a foundational standard for other conduct-related operating policies.

2. Basic Principles
All mission partners are expected to behave in ways that are aligned with TSA’s mission and values.

2.1. Mission Statement:
The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

2.2. Vision Statement
We are an innovative partner, mobilized to share hope wherever there is hardship, building communities that are just and know the love of Jesus.

2.3. Core Values:
Hope: We give hope through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Service: We reach out to support others without discrimination.
Dignity: We respect and value each other, recognizing everyone’s worth.
Stewardship: We responsibly manage the resources entrusted to us.

3. Conduct Expectations
The code of conduct provides guidelines for mission partner conduct. The code of conduct cannot cover every possible situation; mission partners are responsible for considering each issue in the context of TSA’s mission and values, recognizing that individual conduct may be understood as a reflection of TSA’s values, image, integrity and public trust. If a mission partner is unsure of a situation and needs guidance about their conduct or has concerns about the conduct of another person, they should speak with their supervisor or HR/officer personnel representative.

Mission partners will:
3.1. Comply with TSA policies and procedures.
3.2. Follow all applicable laws and at no time participate in, or assist others to participate in, any illegal, criminal or unethical activities.
3.3. Conduct themselves at all times with honesty, integrity and transparency.
3.4. Perform their defined duties to the best of their ability.
3.5. Treat others, including other mission partners, funders, clients and the public, with respect, dignity, fairness and courtesy.
3.6. Promote and support a work environment that is inclusive of all people and respects their unique abilities, strengths and differences.
3.7. Identify actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest and disclose them to their supervisor to help minimize or eliminate the impact of such conflicts, which could influence or appear to influence their judgment and actions. Refer to GV 01.003 Conflict of Interest policy for additional direction and requirements.
3.8. Collect, use and disclose confidential information only in accordance with TSA policy and applicable privacy laws. Ensure all records, documents and communications are accurate and that privacy is maintained as required by GV
01.009 Privacy.
3.9. Conduct all business, service and ministry activities in a responsible manner, consistent with TSA’s values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship.
3.10. Always strive to create and maintain the highest health, safety, wellness and environmental standards in all facilities and work areas.
3.11. Take every reasonable precaution to protect the safety of oneself and others and report accidents (however minor) and near-misses (accidents that almost happened), risky behaviours, and instances where equipment and/or building
deficiencies could compromise the safety of a workplace.
3.12. Use information technology, including internet and email, in a professional and appropriate manner, in accordance with TSA policy (IT 02.001 Computers and Information Technology Acceptable Use).
3.13. Ensure they are fit to work and able to perform assigned duties as required by their job description safely, satisfactorily and in compliance with HR 10.002 Substance Impairment in the Workplace.

TSA expects mission partners will not:
3.14. Act in a discriminatory, harassing or violent way toward others.
3.15. Use their position in order to gain an advantage over or exploit the vulnerability of others.
3.16. Destroy or take for personal use any items belonging to or safeguarded by TSA without prior written approval.
3.17. Solicit (money or goods) from clients, donors, vendors, contractors or any person in a position to benefit from their association with TSA. Mission partners will adhere to the requirements of HR 04.002 Gifts, Speaking Fees, and Testimonials policy.
3.18. Give the appearance that they are speaking on behalf of TSA when not authorized to do so or engage in any activity that would negatively impact TSA’s reputation, brand or public image, including the use of personal social media
accounts.
3.19. Initiate contact with the media or respond to their inquiries, and instead will refer all media inquiries to their supervisor, their public relations representative or TSA’s communications department.
3.20. Use, abuse or misuse paid time, TSA resources or the equipment assigned to them.
3.21. Misuse their authority, abuse power, act irresponsibly, retaliate against someone who reports misconduct or exclude others from workplace events.

4. Officers: Orders and Regulations
In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the code of conduct and Orders and Regulations, the latter shall take precedence.

5. Violation of the Code
If a mission partner believes the law, the code of conduct or TSA’s policies may have been violated or are about to be violated, they should inform their supervisor or report their concern through the Whistleblower hotline (see GV 01.008 Whistleblower policy).

Violation of the code of conduct is a serious matter and could result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.