On June 9, 2021, CLF submitted a written brief on freedom of thought to the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. The Special Rapporteur sought input on respecting, protecting, and fulfilling freedom of thought within UN member states, which will inform his report to the 76th Session of the U.N. General Assembly this September.

“Respect for and accommodation of independent physician conscience is crucial to the continuation of medical practice as a fundamentally humanitarian endeavour, and not simply a technician’s trade.”

“For the second time in three years, the Supreme Court of Canada has unanimously affirmed that theological questions are not to be decided by secular courts, and that religious disputes may only be considered where there is clearly a legal right at stake.”

On Friday, May 14, CLF made written submissions to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) concerning its medical assistance in dying (MAID) and human rights policies, as part of a CPSO consultation.

On May 5, CLF submitted a brief to Parliament's Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, pertaining to the Committee's work on the Protection of Privacy and Reputation on Platforms such as Pornhub.

The Quebec Superior Court has largely upheld Bill 21 as constitutional. While a disappointing outcome, Derek Ross writes, the decision affirms a number of important principles for religious freedom and equality.

Bill C-7 is now law in Canada. Learn more about what this means and why many groups, including CLF, are concerned.

On February 8, 2021, CLF wrote to members of both houses of the Canadian Parliament, urging a sober second look at Bill C-7: An Act to amend the Code (medical assistance in dying). Of particular note, Bill C-7 proposes to expand access to euthanasia to persons with disabilities even if they are not near death.

The federal government is expected to introduce legislation in coming weeks to reduce or eliminate the presence of “harmful” content on social media and other digital platforms. This initiative is consistent with the government’s top legislative priorities, as listed in the Prime Minister’s January 15 mandate letter to cabinet.

This is a case comment on the SCC Aga hearing and case.

On November 12, 2020, the Supreme Court of Canada granted CLF leave to intervene in Aga.

MAiD was initially presented as an exceptional mechanism, to be employed only to hasten an already-imminent death, in order to prevent suffering in the final stages of the dying process. However, in just four years since its legalization in Canada, it is being expanded far beyond this limited role.

The following article is taken from the Christian Legal Journal, Volume 29, Issue 2 (2020).

Christian Legal Fellowship welcomes the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision today to review Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church of Canada St. Mary Cathedral, et al. v. Aga, et. al.

"In recent weeks, injustice and racism has risen to the forefront of national and international conversations, exposing feelings of outrage, heartbreak, and denial. Many are hurting, confused, and fearful. Our world is broken and yearning for love and unity. Are we paying attention?" Read more in this guest blog from Sarah Gagnon and CLF member Ashley Maciuk.

Learn more about the Letter to the Premier of Ontario.

Learn more about Bill 21.

Read CLF member Dawson McKay's article about how we can be faithful in the little things and watch how our efforts, and God's grace, multiply them.

This article was originally published by The Lawyer’s Daily (www.thelawyersdaily.ca), part of LexisNexis Canada Inc.

Learn more about the Aga case.