Mr. Tim Thibault
Box 3220
Humboldt, SK
S0K 2A0

Dear Mr. Thibault:

Re: Case ID: 436983 & 422625 - The Miracle Channel: Alleged Breaches of the Fundraising Requirements & Religious Broadcasting Policy

This is in reference to the above-noted complaints filed with the Commission (dated 20 November 2008 and 15 February 2009) alleging breaches by The Miracle Channel (TMC) of certain fundraising requirements in the Religious Broadcasting Policy and TMC's revised internal policies.

After extensive review and consideration of the related correspondence, tapes of the programming and previous complaints in regard to this issue, Commission staff have determined that the licensee has demonstrated that is cognizant of its responsibilities. In coming to this conclusion, we are of the opinion that the licensee is effectively implementing and administering the required regulatory obligations as previously outlined in TMC's revised fundraising policy.

In our review of the cases in question, we do not share your viewpoint that the licensee breached any provisions of its internal fundraising policies nor the Religious Broadcasting Policy. Moreover, we note and concur with the licensee's comment that it finds it difficult to respond to some of the accusations in your letters of complaint in the form of long quotes, without a detailed explanation of the specific nature of the concerns.

Nevertheless, it is our view that the licensee has afforded proper consideration to your concerns. Commission staff have thoroughly reviewed your concerns from 2006 to date and are satisfied that the licensee has instituted mechanisms that are effective to address the issues that you have identified.

Furthermore, it is our opinion that your diligence has clearly resulted in the establishment of TMC's revised internal fundraising policy. TMC also appeared at the Calgary 2007 public hearing, and it then further explained its fundraising and solicitation policy to the Commission.

It is our view that no further regulatory action is warranted by the CRTC in regard to these two cases.

Yours sincerely,

Jane Britten
Manager, Social Policy
CRTC
902-426-7382

cc. Gordon Klassen, Miracle Channel

In watching the "Beyond the Veil" fundraiser so far, I'm sorry to report that what I had suspected is true - new cast of characters, same old slop being slung. Based on what I observed, Paula..uh...er..sorry, "Dr." Paula Price, appears to be the ringleader, and my what a fine piece of show-(wo)manship she is! Well after all, she does call her own self a "professional" you know...A professional con artist! No, really she has categorized herself as a professional minister! (So are there now the "professional" ministers and "amateur" ones?) I guess she calls herself a professional because truly this woman could sell sand to Osama Bin Laden and convince him that he could extract oil from it! She's good. And smooth. Her story was so polished and embellished with just the right amount of feminism to stir the heart of any Jezebel (oh yes, I said the "J" word!). She is a master cherry picker of biblical verses. No really, I'm sure years of practice have given her the edge she needs to push the right buttons so that women will run to their purses, mattress stashes, children's college fund, grocery fund, etc..And I'm sure she really believes that the time is now for women to rise up and defy biblical roles for women. And that the time is now for women to usurp the biblical, God ordained place of authority for man. (seems like she whooped the guys on the set purty good... had 'em all eating right out of her hand!) I'm sure she really believes that as the world sees women's and men's roles as interchangeable, so should God. (By the way God, if You know what's good for You, You had better get with the times Mister or Dr. Paula's gonna come after you too!)

With the conclusion of the fall 2006 fundraising campaign being this past Saturday, I was a little taken back when I turned on my television today only to see a rebroadcast of the fundraising campaign from last week. Aside from that, I did not see any indicaton anywhere that it was actually a re-run from the previous week and whether intentional or not, this made it quite deceptive.

According to the Miracle Channel's own web site and in emails sent out to their mailing list, the fundraising campaign was supposed to take place between the dates of November 13 through 18 inclusive. Today, being November 20, I expected to be able to watch their regularly scheduled programming. I checked the station's web site earlier today and according to their online schedule, it was regular programming as usual. I then re-checked it before submitting this article, only to find the schedule had been changed for both today and tomorrow to accommodate the rebroadcast of the fundraiser. Why re-run the fundraising campaign?

In Mr. Dewert's message "From the President", he even attests to the fact that the fundraiser was a great breakthrough. The wording is as follows:

Mr Dewert, I have been watching the fundraiser and was shocked to hear what you had to say publicly about the opposition TMC encounters. It is one thing to complain about the lack of openings for the signal to reach certain cities you're attempting to get in, it is quite another to distort the true nature of my own interventions as well as that of others who post on this website. Doubting very much that you would read or even consider anything I would write you personally (been there done that), I selected to address you publicly. My hope is those who will read this will understand how much damage you are personally doing to TMC by distorting our words and worst, our intentions.  

Mr Dewert, I cannot speak to you as if you were a child in the faith, so I will go right to the point. You need to stop lying to your viewers about those who co-labor with Christ in helping the Miracle Channel tighten its walk toward utmost integrity with regards with fundraising strategies and theological rectitude.   The messages preached on the air are often about the Miracle Channel's destiny for Canada. You're enlisting the finances of millions of people to help you toward a goal you will not allow anyone outside of your own circle to challenge. Many don't have money to contribute, but their contribution nonetheless should be considered as valuable. The fact that TMC is cutting itself from the rest of the Church, this localism is a glaring oddity because your discourse says that we ALL are part of God's work for Canada, yet, you seem to discard ALL the voices who don't come at you with your kind of vision.

The fact is: we ALL are part of God's work in Canada, all those who believe in Christ and live as disciples, both those who like or dislike the Miracle Channel. Because we belong to Him. The insistance to separate yourself from your detractors is not honoring the Lord and His Body.

Dick Dewert made a statement on the Nov. 16, 2006, "Possessing The Land" broadcast which I must question.

In the statement, her refers to a prophecy which was spoken over him and Joan, apparently in 1991. I am not sure if he has his dates confused or if he is intentionally misrepresentibg facts. The prophecy was that he and Joan "would release praise and worship across the nation on television".

Dick then goes on to state that he and Joan had nothing to do with television in those days and even restates the year as being 1991.  (To view the actual clip, click here. If the clip does not automatically play for you, try saving it to your hard drive by clicking here.)

The Fact is, even as the Miracle Channel's own website attests, Mr. Dewert was already involved in broadcasting in 1986. Their website states the following:

I have just received a response from the Miracle Channel regarding my most recent complaint  to the CRTC concerning the Miracle Channel's on-air fundraising practices.

If holding an organization accountable is harassment, well then Sue Me!

It is apparent that the Miracle Channel does not like to be held accountable for the programs and teachings they air. Based on the tone of their response, I believe they are becoming quite angry with me, to the point of making false accusations about my beliefs, practices and intentions.

There's a way to clear the air on this issue, but they so far have been unwilling to go there. That is to present this matter to the public with ALL the facts and then let the truth be established in the presence of witnesses. Whether this be in a public forum or in a court room, it doesn't matter to me. It seems they have no problem in dealing with these issues behind closed doors, but when it comes to dealing with them openly, they refuse. When the Miracle Channel was asked to substantiate any of their claims concerning my statements and beliefs, they outright refused. To date, they have not provided one piece of evidence to substantiate any of their claims about things they allege I have said, done or believed.

Mr. Dewert, are you willing to put your entire ministry on the line publicly and have these issues heard and cleared once and for all? If so, I am more than willing to do the same. Just let me know and we can establish a convenient time and neutral location, open to anyone who is interested, including the media. Is it asking too much for us to be accountable one to another? Until such time as you are willing to address this issue publicly, I ask that you refrain from the false accusations and assumptions you assert in your communications, whether private or public and just stick to the facts. If you refuse to do this, then at the very least provide the proof to back your allegations. You, of all people, should know that slander and false witness is not a Godly trait.