Still vitally active today, Horizon is one of the last community programming bodies left in Canada. It provides four hours of quality religious programming a week for its members which now number thirty different faith groups from the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam to World Deliverance Ministries, one of the largest such groups in North America. The work of Horizon has been praised by the Canadian Radio and Television Commission as providing "a valuable contribution to the community and contributes to the quality and diversity of the Canadian broadcasting system."
The Church of Scientology produces two shows a year on Scientology. These shows have ranged from promoting drug awareness to providing basic information on the beliefs and practices of the Scientology religion to highlighting Church theatrical presentations such as the production of the L. Ron Hubbard's work, "Hymn of Asia." However, Horizon has also produced shows dealing with religious tolerance and understanding. The Horizon series "Religious Misconceptions" was very well received.
Interfaith Work
Members of the Church participate in other interfaith initiatives. In 1989, the Ontario government invited the Church of Scientology to participate in the Ontario Multifaith Taskforce on Substance Abuse which was set up as an innovative response to reducing the use of illegal drugs in Ontario. Toronto Church representatives participate in the North American Interfaith Network annual meetings around the United States and Canada and have done so for the past decade. The Church is represented on the South-Central Regional committee of the Ontario Multifaith Council. OMC is the advisor to the Ontario government on religious services and spiritual care issues, standards and practices. A Scientologist is the current Chair of the South-Central regional committee.
Forwarding Community
In other areas, the Church and its members interact with the community. Scientologists have participated in major community events such as Caribana, "200 Years Yonge" and the "Celebrate Toronto" street festival. They attend a wide range of community events each year such as "A Taste of Asia," Pakistan Independence Day, World Religions Day, Police Week, and many, many more.
Recognizing the Achievements of Others
Scientologists also recognize others in the community and their contributions. Since 1999, the Church in Toronto has staged The Friends of L. Ron Hubbard Humanitarian Awards Gala to celebrate those leaders in Canada who have made stellar contribution to the community. The Gala, which includes presentations on the life and work of L. Ron Hubbard, has become extremely popular with several hundred community and government leaders attending. Prominent individuals have been named recipients of the Awards and include the likes of former Member of Parliament Howard McCurdy, Order of Canada recipient Bromley Armstrong for his work in race relations, Judge Pamela Appelt for her community and human rights contributions, Dr. Mavis Burke for her work in education and former chief commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission Alok Mukherjee.
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