“Human trafficking is modern day slavery, and it is happening in Canada.” - CLF Brief to Parliament

We are very pleased to announce the publication of a new book edited by CLF's Derek B.M. Ross: Assisted Death: Legal, Social and Ethical Issues after Carter.

Christian Legal Fellowship welcomed 34 delegates at its 10th Annual Christian Legal Institute. Read more in this report.

When, if ever, can church membership or discipline decisions be reviewed by the courts? That is the question the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) was called on to answer in its judgment, released today, in Highwood Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses v Wall. The Court found that church membership decisions can only be reviewed in extremely narrow circumstances: when the decision involves an underlying legal right, such as a property or contractual right, and does not require the court to adjudicate questions of theology.

“Today’s decision is not only a victory for church autonomy, but for a truly robust and multicultural civil society.”

Did you know that Rev. Billy Graham once presented a special message to the American Bar Association at its AGM in Montreal, Quebec? Read more in this post.

On Saturday, April 7, at the historic Osgoode Hall Courthouse (Toronto), CLF's founders, members, directors, staff, supporters, and friends gathered from across Canada for a sold-out Gala to celebrate 40 years of the ministry of Christian Legal Fellowship.

Christian Legal Fellowship (CLF) has been granted leave to intervene in Truchon v. Procureur général du Canada, a legal challenge seeking to expand access to euthanasia for patients who are not dying or terminally ill. 
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Joint statement from Christian Legal Fellowship, The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, Rabbinical Council of America, Canadian Council of Christian Charities, The Catholic Women’s League of Canada, Canadian Council of Imams, and The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and there be any praise, think on these things.

"Requiring someone to participate against their will in ending another person’s life is unconscionable in a free and democratic society." - Derek Ross

"Some may wonder what the 'kerfuffle' is about, and assert that, in 2018, it is not unreasonable to expect Canadians to get in line with contemporary values. That may be satisfactory as long as one’s ideological allies form the government of the day. But what happens when a new government articulates a contrary set of 'values'?"

Charter rights are not competitors in a zero sum game. They can be fully exercised in co-existence, as this Court recognized in 2001. And since that time, both equality rights and religious freedom have enjoyed expanding interpretations: in tandem, not competition. In the very context of expanding equality rights on the grounds of sexual orientation, religious freedom has been strongly affirmed

"The judgment will certainly be a significant one, and will likely find its way into the next edition of constitutional and administrative law casebooks read by all Canadian law students."

On November 10, 2017, the Government of Manitoba passed The Medical Assistance in Dying (Protection for Health Professionals and Others) Act. The legislation specifically protects the rights of those who refuse to aid in the provision of medical assistance in dying on the basis of his or her personal convictions.

"The right of parents to care for their children and make decisions for their well-being, including decisions about education, is primary, and the state’s authority is secondary to that parental right."

"The retention of section 176 in the Criminal Code demonstrates Canada’s ongoing societal commitment to protect the fundamental freedoms of religious expression and association.”

The Federal Government is currently cleaning up the Criminal Code, but are they going too far with some of their proposed revisions?

Christian Legal Fellowship invites its members and their congregations to join with believers across the country and around the world this month to pray for the Church.

"The right to autonomy of religious communities is a fundamental principle recognized in international law. Canada has agreed to uphold this principle in its international commitments. The present case demonstrates a need and presents an opportunity to expressly affirm religious autonomy in Canadian jurisprudence."