Are you concerned about Bill C-6 and C-7?
The new federal parliament is looking at two pieces of legislation that should concern you and our churches.
The Conversion Therapy Bill is Reintroduced
The federal government has re-introduced former Bill C-8 (October 1, 2020) which was squashed after parliament was prorogued.
The Conversion Therapy Bill (now Bill C-6) offers so broad a definition of conversion therapy (therapies for Canadians wishing to exit homosexual practice) that it could criminalize Bible teaching or religious instruction on human sexuality.
Conversion therapy is defined broadly as: “a practice, treatment or service designed to change a person’s sexual orientation to heterosexual or gender identity to cisgender, or to repress or reduce non-heterosexual attraction or sexual behaviour”.
The new Bill (C-6) would create five new Criminal Code offences which includes offences to those who might “repress or reduce” someone’s homosexual behaviour. The Justice Department has indicated this would not criminalize family members, doctors, school counselor, faith leaders, and pastoral counsellors from “providing support (not defined) to persons struggling with their sexual orientation, sexual feelings or gender identity”.
Previously, when Justice Minister Lametti was asked if it would be legal for religious leaders to speak about homosexuality, he mentioned it was an open-ended and exploratory conversation. Adding, “What is covered (in the bill) by this legislation are practices that attempt to changes one’s orientation towards a predefined goal”. The qualifiers being used by the Justice Minister are murky, undefined, and not included in the legislation. Would a sermon or Bible study be viewed as a “practice” that seeks to order someone’s sexual choices based on religious conscience?
The EFC and other faith groups are voicing concern over Bill C-6. The EFC recently sent a letter to the Justice Minister, click HERE, sharing our concerns with Bill C-6. You can go to the EFC’s website to view some prepared resources, click HERE, for you and your church to share your personal concern with this new legislation. Prayerfully consider contacting your Member of Parliament and Prime Minister today.
New changes to the MAiD law in Bill C-7.
Bill C-7 was introduced to the new parliament on October 5, 2020. This bill is expected to move fairly quickly through parliament; the Justice Minister hopes by December 18, 2020.
The major change to the existing MAiD law (a new law passed in 2016) allows Canadians to seek assisted death when they are not dying or their death is not imminent. The new bill would remove the need for “reasonably foreseeable” death as a requirement for assisted suicide and euthanasia. The bill will remove the “ten day reflection period” between the request for assistance and the date of death. The bill also redefines the requirement of a person to be able to “consent” at the time of their death. While also setting additional conditions for assisted suicide for those who are not dying.
Unfortunately, recent statistics indicate a sizable majority of Canadians are in favour of opening the MAiD law to include these progressive measures. And so, the sanctity of life voice in Canada receives another body blow as the culture of death continues to creep across our landscape. Click HERE to read more about it and how I, as Fellowship President, on behalf of the Fellowship, signed a letter opposing Bill C-7 which was sent to the Prime Minister, Justice Minister and Parliament.
The EFC (Evangelical Fellowship of Canada) has further information on Bill C-7 on their website. Prayerfully consider contacting your Member of Parliament and Prime Minister soon.