Office of Religious Freedoms talks launched
Written by Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic NewsThe formal talks to launch Canada’s Office of Religious Freedoms opened in Ottawa Oct. 3.
OTTAWA - With more than 100 religious leaders in attendance on Oct. 3, the International Affairs Minister opened formal consultation on the creation of Canada’s first Office of Religious Freedoms.
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said the office, which was promised by the Tories in the last election, is intended to “promote and protect freedom of religion and belief, consistent with core Canadian values such as freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”
“Most importantly,” Baird said, “it will demonstrate that Canada truly is a free society.”
The Office of Religious Freedom will operate within the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade with an expected annual budget of $5 million. Its mandate will be to promote and monitor religious freedom around the world.
In addition to religious leaders, academics, lawyers and representatives of persecuted religious minorities attended the conference chaired by Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Secretary Bob Dechert. Among attendees was Peter Bhatti, older brother of Shahbaz Bhatti, the former Pakistani Minorities Minister who was assassinated earlier this year.
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