Campaign Life Coalition warns of serious threat to religious freedom as Bill C-9 passes
OTTAWA – Bill C-9, described by faith leaders across the country as a serious threat to religious freedom, passed third reading in the Senate tonight and is now set to become law. The vote was 45-13 with two abstentions.
“This is a dark day for religious freedom and free speech in Canada,” said Jeff Gunnarson, National President of Campaign Life Coalition (CLC). “The passage of this deeply troubling legislation, however, will not stop us from speaking the Word of God, even when biblical truths are increasingly being labelled as hateful by those who are hostile to Christianity.”
“God will not be mocked. We will continue to proclaim His Word,” he added.
Bill C-9 was introduced last September ostensibly to “combat hate.” The bill, however, removes a long-standing Criminal Code protection for Canadians who, in good faith, express arguments or opinions rooted in religious belief or sacred texts. For this reason, CLC and religious leaders across the country believe the real goal of C-9 is to prepare the ground for hate-related charges against people of faith, thereby threatening their fundamental rights to religious freedom and free speech.
CLC is especially concerned that Bill C-9 will expose Christians and other people of faith to criminal prosecution for publicly expressing biblical teaching on moral issues, including marriage, family, sexuality, and abortion.
These concerns were heightened during parliamentary debate when Liberal MP John-Paul Danko cited “anti-abortion hate” as an example of the kind of expression the bill could be used to target.
“Under the guise of combating hate, Bill C-9 opens the door to the criminalization of peaceful religious and pro-life expression in Canada,” said Gunnarson.
“It is now more important than ever for Canadians to continue speaking biblical truths about marriage and family in the public square—truths that are the bedrock of every healthy nation,” he continued.
“The pro-life movement has always advanced its cause through peaceful persuasion, education, and democratic engagement, and we will continue to do so,” he added. “No government has the right to silence Canadians for peacefully expressing their God-given moral and religious convictions.”