Ottawa – Bev Shipley, Member of Parliament for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, is pleased and honoured that all Members supported his Motion, M-382, and passed it unanimously in the House of Commons the evening of April 24, 2013. Canada is a great country of freedoms and prosperity – Canadians enjoy a status that others are not so fortunate to have. It is our duty to share with those the principles and values that have contributed to our society as we know it today – a country free from persecution based on one’s religion, belief or desire to change religious beliefs. The duty to ensure that human dignity is afforded to all persons.

The responsibility of actively promoting those values has been given to Dr. Andrew Bennett, the recently appointed Ambassador of the office of Religious Freedom, the newly created sub-department which falls under the oversight of Foreign Affairs. MP Shipley extends his thanks to Dr. Bennett for accepting this important duty, which will not be an easy task, and offers the Ambassador all the best in fulfilling those responsibilities.

This charge is so very important because of the large number of countries that have constraints on religious freedoms – 70% of the world’s population lives under high restrictions. Those that speak out for recognition of these values have often paid the price with their life. Such was the case of Shahbaz Bhatti, Minister for Minorities in Pakistan, who was gunned down and assassinated last year, but who will always be remembered as an upright man who fought for the human dignity of all.

In Canada, freedom of conscience and religion has been enshrined in many covenants built around values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and rule of law. We stand alongside many other countries that have made public declarations for the support of religious freedom worldwide – countries such as the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Norway. “The passing of Motion 382 is a significant step forward for Canada as we show the world that we are united in the belief that freedom of conscience and creed, freedom from persecution and discrimination, and freedom to practice one’s religion is and should everywhere be recognized for its inherent human dignity.”