Dear Friend,
Not too long ago, if I had asked you to name a country that has laws banning adherents of certain religions from having jobs in the public sector, would Canada have come to mind?
In June 2019, the Quebec government passed Bill 21, a law that is forcing many people to choose between living out their faith and keeping their jobs. Specifically, the new law bans many public-sector employees in Quebec from wearing religious symbols while they are at work. This controversial law impacts teachers, judges, police officers, government lawyers and other public workers, as well as anyone who is aspiring towards these careers.
As you may have already discerned, this law does not affect all religious adherents equally. After all, as Christians, we are not obligated to wear crucifixes or head coverings as we go about our daily lives. This law unabashedly targets those religions that require certain forms of outward expression – head scarves for Muslim women, turbans for Sikhs and skullcaps for Orthodox Jewish men.
Let us be clear. We’re not talking about wardrobe choices here. This law interferes with the actual practice of religion. By requiring them to look secular, the law is forcing already marginalized Muslims, Sikhs and Jews to choose between their religious beliefs, identity and self-expression, and pursuing a career in the province’s public schools and courts. This law discriminates against people based on their faith and shows a blatant disregard for minority and religious rights.
Attacks on freedom of religion are not unique to Quebec. Nor have attacks been restricted to one faith group nor to one type of religious expression.
This attempt to squeeze religious convictions out of the public sphere mimics other attempts to screen out or deny opportunities to people or institutions with the “wrong” beliefs, principles or values.
As Evangelicals, we have experienced this. A Christian university was denied accreditation for its proposed law school because it required students to agree to a community covenant that upholds certain views on sexual morality. Doctors in Ontario who believe in the sanctity of life and who wish to exercise their conscience rights by refusing to participate in doctor-assisted suicide and euthanasia have been told to change their field of practice or to stop practicing medicine.
And faith-based organizations all across Canada had been told that public funds to hire summer students would not be granted unless they were willing to attest that they agree with the government’s ideologies on issues like abortion. In response to much protest, the federal government has since backed off. However, we must be diligent in protecting our freedoms.
The principles of freedom and equality must be upheld in any religiously diverse and democratic society. With this law, will Canada still have any credibility on the world stage when it comes to defending human rights? If we do nothing to have this law repealed, are we not conceding that the right to practice one’s faith in Canada does not matter and is not worthy of protection by our governments? If we let this law stand, are we not affirming that there is something inherently wrong or harmful about public expressions of faith (like giving thanks to God for a meal in a restaurant, for example) and that the public needs to be protected from them?
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees our freedom to practice our religion as well as freedom from discrimination based on our religion. By restricting this freedom, the Quebec law violates the fundamental rights of individuals and communities to express their religious beliefs and to live them out.
The exclusion of religious adherents from employment, participation in public institutions or receiving accreditation or grants, will have far-reaching harmful effects on society. People of faith will be treated as second-class citizens and be subjected to increasing forms intolerance and discrimination. And it affirms that people of faith are not worthy of equal respect and protection under the law.
The constitutionality of Bill 21 is being challenged in court by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, the National Council of Canadian Muslims, and a hijab-wearing university student who is training to be a teacher. An application to suspend the law until its constitutionality can be determined has been denied.
The EFC supports the court challenge and is exploring options for legal involvement. We have extensive experience intervening before the courts in the area of religious freedom and we can make an important contribution. We must seek to ensure strong protection for religious freedom in Canada, not only for our sake, but for the sake of our neighbours and for future generations. Will our children and grandchildren have the freedom to “let their light shine before others” (Matthew 5:16)? Or will they be forced to put their light under a bowl?
As Christmas and year-end approaches, will you make a special gift to help us to not only to defend the freedom to live out our faith, but to equip God’s people to love our neighbours for His glory? As always, we depend greatly on your generosity to help us do our work of uniting Evangelicals to bless Canada in the name of Jesus. Your gifts really do make a difference!
May God bless you richly this Christmas and throughout the New Year!
Bruce Clemenger
President