OTTAWA, May 20, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Focus on the Family Canada has made a presentation to the Justice and Human Rights Committee regarding Bill C-250, the legislation proposed by homosexual activist MP Svend Robinson which seeks to insert the term “sexual orientation” into hate crimes legislation. The Focus presentation enumerated various reasons for rejecting the legislation seeing it as a threat to religious freedom and refuted supporters of the bill who claim it will not affect religious freedom. “Given that current laws prohibit actual acts of violence against homosexuals, and given the lack of substantial evidence that hate propaganda targeting homosexuals exists in Canada, it would be improper to enact legislation that has the potential to seriously restrict freedom of speech,” said Focus. The group noted that the legislation dangerously leaves the term “sexual orientation” undefined and counters those considering such definitions unnecessary saying “Some may think the definition is obvious, but I am sure that the definition of ‘marriage’ once was obvious to our lawmakers who believed it needed no definition.” The presentation amply demonstrated that the bill was a threat to religious freedom noting that while “religious freedom is already protected in our Charter of Rights and Freedoms and yet the courts and government agencies have systematically rejected that freedom in favour of rights based on sexual orientation.” Several cases where the courts have ruled against religious freedom including the Marc Hall, Scott Brockie, and Hugh Owens cases were cited. See the full Focus on the Family submission at: https://www.fotf.ca/familyfacts/analysis/051403_c250.html
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CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE ASKS GOVERNMENT TO SCRAP HOMOSEXUAL HATE CRIMES BILL https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/apr/03041702.html