While the imperative of containing the spread of COVID-19 was understandable, places of worship often faced unequal and arbitrary treatment during the public health emergency. [...] Freedom of conscience and religion relates to other freedoms enumerated in section 2 (b) to (d) that protect freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association -- all of which are predicated on the notion that human beings have certain deeply held beliefs and desires and wish to govern their private and public lives according to them. In a pluralistic society, these deeply held beliefs oft. [...] Section 7.0.2 (1) of Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act states “[t]he purpose of making orders under this section is to promote the public good by protecting the health, safety and welfare of the people of Ontario in times of declared emergencies in a manner that is subject to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.” The recommendations that follow simply bring this legis. [...] It instead points to an ignorance of the nature of faith communities, the role of public worship, and the vital importance of the constitutionally protected freedoms of conscience and religion. [...] Informed by this consultation, Cardus is of the view that the designation of faith communities as “essential services” at times of crisis is insufficient and does not consider the distinctive and fundamental role of faith communities in the common life of the province.
- Pages
- 7
- Published in
- Canada
