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441-01502 (Civil and human rights)

Paper petition

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the House of Commons

We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:

Whereas:

Canadians have the right to be protected against discrimination;

Canadians can and do face political discrimination;

It is a fundamental Canadian right to be politically active and vocal;

It is in the best interest of Canadian democracy to protect public debate and the exchange of differing ideas; and

Bill C-257 seeks to add protection against political discrimination to the Canadian Human Rights Act.

Therefore we, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:

1. Support Bill C-257 which bans discrimination on the basis of political belief or activity; and

2. Defend the rights of Canadians to peacefully express their political opinions.

Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Arif Virani

Bill C-257, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act (protecting against discrimination based on political belief), proposes to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to add “political belief or activity” to the list of prohibited grounds of discrimination.

The Government believes that all Canadians are deserving of equal respect, consideration and protection from discrimination. In addition, freedom of expression is a fundamental aspect of our democracy and is constitutionally protected in section 2(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the Charter). The ability to express one’s opinions breathes life into such rights and democratic values as freedom of political expression and freedom of association. The Government is firmly committed to respecting and upholding the Charter and its protections, including in respect of political expression.

The Bill will follow the legislative process and be debated in accordance with rules governing Private Members Bills.

Presented to the House of Commons
Dan Albas (Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola)
June 5, 2023 (Petition No. 441-01502)
Government response tabled
September 18, 2023
Photo - Dan Albas
Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola
Conservative Caucus
British Columbia

28 signatures

Only validated signatures are counted towards the total number of signatures.