Exodus Global Alliance, based in Ajax, Ont., claims to help people 'overcome' homosexuality. (CBC)

An international religious group that claims to help men and women "overcome" their homosexuality is generating controversy because of its charitable status in Canada.

As part of its mission statement Exodus Global Alliance, based in Ajax, Ont., says it is "serving people affected by homosexuality through counselling, support groups and other services."

"Our issue is that they purport to be able to cure homosexuality. Homosexuality is not an mental illness," said Matthew McLauchlin, co-chair of the federal NDP's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Committee.

"If all we were talking about was promoting a certain religious view of homosexuality we wouldn't be having this conversation," he said. "They are promoting something that's directly against the public interest."

McLauchlin, who ran for the NDP in three federal elections, said the Quebec wing of the NDP unanimously adopted a position to strip the organization of its charitable status at a convention in Gatineau on Nov. 20.

"It can issue tax receipts for donations, but in our opinion it violates provisions of the Canada Revenue Agency that says that registered charities must offer a tangible public benefit," said McLauchlin.

Dr. Karine Igartua, the director of emergency psychiatric services at the Montreal University Health Centre, worries that the type of counselling offered by Exodus may do more harm than good.

It may "reinforce the notion that the attraction that they are feeling is something that is bad, that is sinful," said Igartua, who also founded the McGill University Sexual Identity Centre (MUSIC) in 1999.

"By doing that, one reinforces self-loathing and hatred and it can actually lead to more depressive symptoms, more anxious symptoms,"

We're not harming, we're helping

"Our goal is to help people dealing with homosexuality," said Bryan Kliewer, the executive director of Exodus Global Alliance.

"Our particular focus is to help people who want to live a life that is congruent with their Christian faith," said Kliewer, who went on to defend his organization's charitable status.

"We provide educational services, connect people with churches and professional counsellors and those activities satisfy the rules the Canada Revenue Agency has for charitable purpose."

However, Exodus does not mention homosexuality when describing the work it does on its CRA application form. It does mention it provides help dealing with abuse and other family issues and Kliewer maintains it has nothing to hide despite the omission.

A CRA spokesperson sent an email explaining how organizations obtain charitable status but declined a request for an interview, citing Section 241 of the Income Tax Act which "precludes the CRA from discussing the particular affairs of a registered charity."

New Zealand's Charities Commission has declined a request from Exodus for registration as a charitable entity. In a decision rendered on Aug. 18, 2010 the chief executive of the commission writes that the applicant's main purpose appears to be "promoting the teaching that homosexuality is morally wrong, that people can change from homosexuality to heterosexuality, and that people are not born homosexual."

In the next paragraph the commission asserts that the information provided by the international organization is "not neutral or objective" and goes on to qualify it as propaganda under the guise of education.