Canada’s Bill C-9 Sparks Debate on Religious Free Speech Protections
Bill C-9, recently passed in Canada, has ignited concerns among religious groups who argue it could undermine free speech related to religious discourse. The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) is among those voicing apprehension.
The legislative change removes the defense of “good faith” for individuals making controversial religious remarks. With Royal Assent, these provisions are set to become law.
Prior to the bill’s approval, Finnish politician Päivi Räsänen expressed caution regarding measures that might restrict speech, referencing her own legal challenges in Finland concerning past publications.
The EFC was among several religious organizations advocating for the preservation of the “good faith” clause and opposing the bill’s enactment.
Despite the changes, three legal defenses remain for those accused of promoting hatred: truthfulness of the statement, public benefit, and quoting for critique purposes.
According to the EFC, prosecutions for willfully promoting hatred are rare, partly because conviction requires clear intent to incite hatred against identifiable groups. Furthermore, the law does not extend to private conversations.
Historically, defenses based on religious beliefs have not been successful in such cases.
Following the bill’s passage, the EFC announced plans to “monitor the effects” of the new legislation.
“It is not clear what impact the removal of the religious belief defence will have over time, and whether its removal could broaden the understanding of ‘wilful promotion of hatred,'” stated the EFC.
The Canadian justice minister assured that the new law will not impede individuals from engaging in religious practices, such as praying, preaching, and teaching, in good faith.
In a statement, the EFC expressed a preference for clarifications affirming that genuine religious expression should not be classified as hate speech. They added, “The EFC will monitor the effects of Bill C-9 and will continue to advocate for freedom of religion and belief.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
