Faith
Canada Cuts Religious Defense in Hate Law
Faith Facts
- The “good faith religious belief defense” was removed from Canada’s hate speech law.
- The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) warned this change could harm religious freedom.
- The bill is set to return to Parliament for further debate before likely becoming law.
Christian leaders in Canada are expressing deep concern as a House of Commons committee decided to remove a key religious expression protection from hate crime legislation. They fear this change threatens the ability of believers to express faith-based convictions without fear of prosecution.
On December 9, the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights approved the amendment to eliminate the “good faith religious belief defense” from Section 319 (3) of the Criminal Code under Bill C-9, also called the Combatting Hate Act.
“There has been disturbing debate in the Justice Committee about the defense and whether biblical texts and other religions’ texts are hateful. This defense is an important protection for minority religious groups. We are very concerned that the defense could be removed.”
The EFC has pointed out that the committee’s decision follows heightened concerns regarding rising antisemitism, and was led by both the Bloc Québécois and Liberal parties. According to the committee recommendation, expressions of religious opinion would no longer be protected solely by good faith or argument grounded in religious belief.
The EFC noted that removing this protection was not originally included in Bill C-9. The Bloc Québécois had openly sought this change and announced an agreement with the Liberals to push it forward without input from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Christian advocates highlight that the elimination of this defense puts faith-based expression at legal risk. The EFC has taken an active role, meeting with committee members and providing written explanations about the vital importance of protecting faithful speech.
“Our communications to committee members and our written submission to the committee explained why this defense matters,” stated the EFC.
David Guretzki, EFC President, has directly urged the prime minister’s office to keep these protections in place.
This defense was one of four against charges of willfully promoting hatred and has rarely been used, always under strict judicial oversight. The EFC clarifies the defense does not shield people from criminal acts but specifically relates to debates over religious expression and accusations of antisemitism.
“This defense protects ‘good faith’ or honest belief,” stated the EFC. “It does not allow religious expression to be used as a Trojan horse to carry intended messages of hate.”
The EFC also raised concerns over other aspects of Bill C-9, such as the bill’s weaker definition of hatred and the removal of attorney general consent for hate crime prosecutions.
“The EFC’s brief also strongly recommended that the Committee reject any proposal to remove the good faith religious belief defense.”
Our faith and freedoms must be defended in law and in society. Christians are called to stand firm for the truth, praying for Canada’s leaders to uphold justice and protect religious liberty for all Canadians.
Faith Facts
- Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell slams BBC’s “appalling lack of religious literacy” at Religion Media Centre briefing.
- Former BBC Head of Religion Michael Wakelin agrees remedy lies in embedding religious understanding across all BBC output, not more faith programs.
- Religion remains vital for millions’ belonging, values, purpose, and identity in Britain, demanding media accountability.
The Archbishop of York courageously highlighted the BBC’s failure to grasp faith’s role in society, echoing Biblical calls to proclaim truth boldly. As a former BBC religion leader, Wakelin affirms strong specialist programs persist but broader institutional ignorance undermines them.
From news to dramas, BBC must reflect religion’s global influence and moral goods, honoring Christian heritage that shaped Britain’s freedoms. This literacy fosters workplaces accommodating believers and combats misinformation’s spiritual void.
“religion is still a huge influence in the world”
“The BBC doesn’t need a larger religious broadcasting department. It needs greater religious literacy across the corporation”
“religion is a vital part of how millions and millions of people in Britain today get their belonging, their values, their purpose, their identity.”
Stand firm for faith in media—pray for BBC renewal and support outlets upholding Biblical truth.
Faith Facts
- British court denies Ukraine’s extradition of UOC supporter Artem Dmytruk, accused of torture by SBU.
- Dmytruk, Ukrainian MP and UOC subdeacon, opposed 2024 law banning UOC over alleged ROC ties.
- UOC declared independence from ROC in 2022, rejecting Russia’s military actions amid government crackdown.
A British court upheld religious liberty by rejecting Ukraine’s request to extradite Artem Dmytruk, a defender of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church facing trumped-up charges.
Dmytruk, the sole parliamentary voice against banning the UOC, lost his security and fled after SBU threats, echoing biblical calls to protect the faithful from oppression.
Despite forming a defense unit against Russia, President Zelensky’s regime pursues him, highlighting assaults on Christian autonomy.
SBU faces accusations of assassinating dissidents, mirroring FSB tactics while denying involvement.
Robert Amsterdam, representing Dmytruk and UOC, stated: “This ruling is a decisive win that recognises the lengths to which the Ukrainian government will go to silence political opposition, particularly as it relates to its violations of religious freedom.”
Amsterdam added: “Mr Dmytruk has not only condemned the Russian invasion, but actively took up arms in March 2022 when he formed a territorial defence unit in defence of his city against Russia. This has not stopped the administration of President Zelensky from seeking to forcibly return Mr Dmytruk over what are clearly trumped-up charges.”
Defend faith and freedom: Pray for persecuted believers and support champions of religious liberty worldwide.
Faith Facts
- The BBC’s Royal Charter expires in 2027, prompting a consultation on enhancing religious content across dramas and discussions.
- Religion supplies vital purpose, identity, and values for millions of Britons, demanding robust public broadcasting.
- Faith-based media acts as a bulwark against polarization, prejudice, and societal chaos, promoting cohesion.
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, acting leader of the Church of England, condemns the BBC’s appalling lack of religious literacy.
He calls for faith to permeate the broadcaster’s entire output, not just token programs like Songs of Praise.
This call comes amid a government review of its future.
“My concern is much more about the place of religion across the whole output of the BBC, rather than simply seeing it as religious broadcasting in that rather more narrow definition. So I note with sadness and some distress the sometimes appalling lack of religious literacy in so much of the BBC.”
“I know it’s a hard thing to fight for – religious broadcasting and public service broadcasting – but I believe it is a precious bulwark against polarisation, intolerance, prejudice, chaos. The fact is that religion is a vital part of how millions and millions of people in Britain today get their belonging, their values, their purpose, their identity.”
“Religious broadcasting increasingly becomes the poor and underfunded relative in a BBC which I believe needs to be reminded of its core business.”
As patriots grounded in biblical truth, urge leaders to restore faith-honoring media, safeguarding our Christian heritage and freedoms.
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