(Ottawa) The Federal Minister of Justice, Sean Fraser, says that the government intends to go ahead in its intentions to protect access to the places of worship, schools and community centers.
During the recent electoral campaign, the Liberals had promised to present a bill also aimed at criminalizing “the fact of intimidating or threatening in an intentional and deliberate manner of people attending offices in these places”.
Defenders of human rights reject any measure which could encroach on freedom of expression and on freedom of meeting. They point out that there are already articles of law which aim to repress such behaviors.
Armed conflicts in the Middle East have created tensions between various communities in the country.
Several Canadian municipalities have recently created “buffer zones” which restricts demonstrations around certain places, such as places of worship, schools and daycares.
“He does not escape me that different orders of government can try to deal with this problem in different ways,” concedes Mr. Fraser.
Photo Patrick Doyle, the Canadian press
The Minister of Justice, Sean Fraser
The Minister believes that the federal government can intervene if he judges that these demonstrations are transformed into criminal acts.
Some religious communities in Canada face discrimination: anti -Semitism, Islamophobia and any other form of hatred. People should know that in Canada, they are free to pray to the god of their choice, but also to express themselves freely. However, this should not make it possible to threaten the rights of religious minorities protected by the Charter.
The Minister of Justice, Sean Fraser
James Turk, director of the Center for Freedom of Expression at the University of Metropolitan Toronto, questions the relevance of adding articles to the Criminal Code. He suggests that some politicians only offer sanctions in order to claim that he act in the file.
He recalls that there are already laws against the misdeeds, the nuisance, the disturbances of a religious celebration.
“There is nothing there that is not already illegal. It is a waste of time. We create confusion around the criminal code. Politicians want to suggest that they do something under the strong pressure to which they are subjected. »»
The director of the programs of fundamental freedoms of the Canadian Association of Civil Liberties, Anaïs Bussières McNicoll, wonders about the extent of the changes that the federal government wants to bring. “Are they really necessary or do we want to ban things already prohibited?” »»
It recognizes that demonstrations can disrupt public order, but it recalls that they are protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
“I am a parent myself. So I know that a manifestation can be frightening for a child. We talk about cries, huge crowds and emotions on edge. Part of my role as a parent is to teach what life means in a democracy. I have to explain the reasons why we have to demonstrate. I must explain to him that people have the right to express ideas to which we are opposed. I have to teach him what we can do when we do not agree with a speech. »»
Richard Robertson, director of research and advocacy of B’nai Brith Canada, says that his organization applauds the intentions of the federal government. However, he adds that new measures are necessary.
The B’Nai Britthe wishes a law which would prohibit the demonstrations taking place at a certain distance from a place of worship or a school or at a specific moment, especially if they prevent anyone from going there, underlines Mr. Robertson.
“Municipalities and provinces would no longer be forced to take legislative measures while sending a clear message throughout the country. People do not have the right to prevent others from entering their places of worship, their community centers or their cultural establishments. »»
With contribution from Anja Karadeglija
