For over two decades in Canada there has been a gradual construction of a human rights and legal apparatus armed to severely restrict the freedoms and liberties of Christians.

This has happened since July 2005 with the legal fiction redefining marriage in the Canadian state. What has followed is a steady stream of criminal and administrative laws which have found their way onto the statute books.

These pieces of legislation have been gradually wielded against Christians and their faith by the police, professional bodies, Human Rights Tribunals and the courts.

In 2017, the Liberal government amended sections of Canada’s Criminal Code that deal with what they called “hatred toward an identifiable group”. Hatred itself is not defined in the Code, but writing, statements or signs deemed to incite or promote hatred could be regarded as criminal.

In the section of the criminal code that deals with hatred towards an identifiable group gender identity and expression were added even though sexual orientation was already protected by the
criminal code.

The promoting and inciting of hatred towards these newly created groups now includes making statements in a public place or making statements in any other setting than that of a private conversation.

Although religious arguments are generally considered a possible defence if they are made in good faith, the subjectivity of both hatred and good faith give courts incredible latitude in finding someone guilty.