Religious equality

  • CLF advocated for freedom of religion in Quebec: CLF submitted a legal brief to the National Assembly of Quebec (Committee of Institutions) regarding Bill 21, which seeks to ban the wearing of religious symbols by certain public workers. As stated in CLF’s submission, while the legislation purports to be advancing ‘religious neutrality’, it does the exact opposite. By effectively banning citizens of certain faiths from public employment based on their religious expression and identity, the Bill is promoting an anti-religious public square. This, CLF explains, is “not true neutrality, but an ‘excessively radical conception’ of ‘complete secularity’ – one which is hostile, not neutral, toward religion” (citing the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in Saguenay). This submission, available in both French and English, included 116 endorsements from CLF members.

Human Trafficking

In a brief submitted to the Parliament of Canada’s Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, CLF urged Parliament to retain current laws which are critical components in the fight against human trafficking in Canada. 

CLF’s submissions focus on promoting gender equality, preventing the exploitation of vulnerable persons, and protecting human dignity. Read CLF's submissions in English and French.

FREEDOM OF RELIGION

  • Submission to the Standing Committee of Justice and Human Rights regarding Bill C-51, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Department of Justice Act and to make consequential amendments to another Act

CLF urged Parliament to protect religious expression, association, and peaceful assembly by retaining section 176 of the Criminal Code. CLF’s submissions emphazised (1) the necessity of section 176 in protecting Charter freedoms in ways that other Criminal Code provisions do not; and (2) Canada's international obligations to actively protect peaceful assemblies. CLF, an NGO with special consultative status with the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council, highlighted that Canada has committed itself - and has called on all other UN Members - to take positive measures to “respect and fully protect the rights of all individuals to assemble peacefully and associate freely.”CLF's submission further explains that section 176 is not “unconstitutional”, “outdated”, or “duplicative of more general offences”. To the contrary, Canadian courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada, have applied the provisions currently found in section 176 and upheld their constitutionality. As CLF`s brief explains, a number of appellate judges have affirmed that these provisions are necessary for the realization of such fundamental rights as freedom of assembly and freedom of association. Read CLF's full submission. 

  • Submission to the National Assembly of Quebec regarding Bill 62, An Act to foster adherence to State religious neutrality and, in particular, to provide a framework for religious accommodation requests in certain bodies.

CLF raised concerns about the understanding and application of state neutrality in the Bill, noting that state neutrality is meant to encourage everyone to participate freely in public life, demands respect for – and not extinguishment of – religious differences. CLF also noted the various international covenants that protect the parental right to pass on beliefs to their children and urged the Assembly to reconsider the proposed legislation. Read the full submission in English or Français.

Support for religious charities

CLF Contributes to National Study of Charities in Canada: CLF submitted a brief to the Special Senate Committee’s study of Canada’s charitable sector. CLF’s submissions focus on the value and impact of religious charities in particular, and explain why Canadian law’s continued recognition of ‘advancing religion’ as a charitable purpose is both constitutionally sound and socially beneficial.

euthanasia and freedom of conscience