Has Canada Outlawed Christianity?
The Canadian government is often seen as progressive and inclusive of minority rights, but recent debate suggests otherwise. In 2019, the media surrounding a Canadian civil rights case insinuated that Canada has effectively outlawed Christianity. Canada has denied the legitimacy of this claim, but does seem to have complicated religious acceptance and protection laws. To answer the imminent question: no, Canada has not outlawed Christianity, and in fact, the country’s laws protect people of all religions from discrimination.
The civil rights case in question is over the firing of suspended Alberta teacher, Angela Simpson, from a Catholic-based high school. While directing a school play, Simpson replaced the original religious ending to the play with an alternative ending that followed the changes she made to the script. After being suspended for her alleged insubordination, Simpson retaliated by filing a Human Rights complaint against the Catholic board’s hiring practices.
This case was controversial in the media because, while Canada is known for its open-mindedness and standpoint on the freedom of choice, the sentiment still stands that all religions should be respected and accepted. Since the country has clear laws upholding these rights, the case was widely seen as an infringement of Canada’s laws and beliefs.
In spite of this, an expert from the Alberta Human Rights Commission, Jack Mintz, pointed out that the case should not be seen as a restriction of freedom of religion, but rather as freedom of expression. According to Mintz, the underlying issue is not religious expression, but the idea that all religions should be respected and accepted.
It is worth noting that Canada, like many other countries, allows people to practice any religion they so choose. However, since Canadian law only specifies what is legal and unlawful, the alleged regards surrounding the case are only opinions, not legal rulings. While some might argue that Canada has effectively ‘outlawed’ Christianity, the country has never gone so far as to do so, and the 2019 civil rights case should not be taken as evidence of such.
Religious Freedom In Canada
In terms of freedom of religion and expression, Canada is a progressive country that respects the rights of all its citizens. According to Public Safety Canada, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the fundamental rights of all Canadians, including those of religion, belief and thought. These rights are further secured through the Dominion Rights and Freedoms Act, which protects people from religious discrimination.
At the same time, certain religious laws, such as a ban on so-called ‘hate speech’, also exist in Canada. Specifically, the Criminal Code prohibits hate propaganda against an identifiable group, which includes communication that could lead to hatred against any identifiable group, including religion. This law, however, applies to all religions, indicating that Canada still respects religious freedoms and is committed to protecting the rights of all Canadians.
In terms of open-mindedness, Canada still stands as an inclusive nation. It is often said that the country has a vibrant and tolerant atmosphere that welcomes different religions, beliefs and cultures. This belief has been expressed in various legal rulings, including the 2017 Supreme Court decision on Trinity Western University, which focused on the legal implications of religious freedom in Canada. Ultimately, the Court ruled that religious freedoms in Canada do not impose unreasonable burden on other rights.
Religious Tension Across Canada
Despite its progressiveness, some religious tensions do exist in Canada. Specifically, certain sections of society are more socially conservative, and at times, religious beliefs can be pitted against cultural and scientific advancements. A good example of this is the debate around same-sex marriage, abortion, and end-of-life decisions.
Additionally, some provinces across the country have noticeably more religious presence than others. Quebec, for example, is largely francophone and contains a large Catholic population. This population is known to be more socially conservative than other Canadians, and their beliefs often clash with the secularism that exists elsewhere in the country.
It is important to note that while such tensions exist, Canada’s government often takes steps to ensure that there is still respect and understanding amongst its citizens. For instance, the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms were designed to protect the rights of everyone and to promote fairness and equality in the country. In this regard, the Canadian government is still dedicated to upholding and maintaining religious freedom, even if there is some tension between certain groups in society.
Religious Practices In Schools
Religious practices, such as prayer and instruction in religious beliefs, is still allowed in schools. According to the Government of Canada, religious instruction is allowed in public schools provided that it does not impede the learning process or violate school guidelines. This also applies to private schools as well, where religious instruction is typically more endemic in curriculums.
It is also worth noting that while Canadian public schools accept students of all religious backgrounds, they will often celebrate or accommodate religious holidays or special events on the calendar. For example, numerous public schools do celebrate Christmas and Easter, and may offer religious instruction around the holidays. Similarly, Muslim schools often observe Ramadan, and private schools are known to accommodate such requests as well.
Finally, it is important to remember that while Canada respects religious freedoms, it also maintains its commitment to maintaining an open and inclusive education system. This means that while students are free to practice whatever religion they choose, teachers must still abide by government-mandated rules and regulations in the classroom.
Religious Rights Of Canadians
Besides the freedom to practice any religion in private, Canadians are also entitled to the right to manifest their religion in the public sphere. As per the Government of Canada, this right covers things like the right to wear religious dress, to assemble with others for religious activities, to acquire property and to form religious organizations. Additionally, the right to manifest one’s religion also extends to students, who can practice their religion in the public school system or in separate religious-themed schools.
In terms of religious teachings and interpretation, the Government of Canada allows individuals and organizations alike to express religious views in public if it does not cause harm to others. Furthermore, individuals are also allowed to express different interpretations of religion without fear of discrimination.
Victims of discrimination in the form of religious intolerance may also have recourse to the courts in Canada. This is typically done through the Human Rights Tribunal and the Canadian Human Rights Commission, which are both dedicated to the implementation of fair laws and enforcement.
Canadian Constitution And Religious Laws
The Canadian Constitution legally protects freedom of religion, belief and opinion. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms specifies what Canadians are legally allowed to do in terms of religion, and how these rights are protected. For example, the Constitution protects Canadians from being discriminated against based on their religious belief, practice, or lack thereof.
Rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution are further defined and protected by the Canadian Law, which is made up of numerous acts, including the Canadian Human Rights Act, the Criminal Code, and the Minister’s Response to the Quebec Religious Observance question. All of these laws spell out specific processes and conditions for Canadians to legally practice their religious beliefs.
Additionally, the government also provides “Guidelines for the Accommodation of Religious Practices” to accommodate religious practices in all provinces. This includes a wide range of accommodations, ranging from religious decorations in workplaces to providing meals and services that comply with each and every religious beliefs. Such policies and guidelines ensure that the Canadian government is still dedicated to religious freedom and expression.
Religious Freedom In Canada Beyond The Law
The legal right to practice one’s religion is just one component of religious freedom in Canada. Practically speaking, many Canadians also feel discrimination and harassment due to their religious beliefs or practices. A Canadian survey conducted by the Angus Reid Institute found that half of Canadians feel that religious freedom is under threat. Specifically, the survey found that while most Canadian feel safe expressing their religious beliefs, they feel uncomfortable doing so in certain public or social situations.
The survey also found that younger Canadians are especially likely to feel uncomfortable expressing their religious beliefs in public. This could be due to the fact that younger generations may not be as familiar with the legal framework surrounding religious freedom as older generations. As such, this could be one area that the Canadian government can look into, in order to further encourage and promote religious freedom in the country.
In spite of any underlying issues, religious freedom remains a fundamental part of Canada’s society. The country’s laws effectively protect religious freedoms and its government often goes out of its way to ensure that all Canadians, regardless of their religious beliefs, are treated equally and fairly.
