Good afternoon. The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada welcomes this opportunity to address this committee on Bill C-51.
Established in 1964, the EFC provides a national forum for the leaders and institutions of Canada's four million evangelicals and a constructive voice for biblical principles in life and society.
Religious freedom, expression, and collaboration have been hallmarks of our work for decades. We work together with interfaith partners on issues of common concern, sharing in conversations about the role of religion in a pluralistic society.
We have addressed religious discrimination and supported religious freedom in more than 20 court interventions over the years, including in support of non-evangelicals.
Our concern is with clause 14 of Bill C-51, which would remove section 176 of the Criminal Code of Canada. It is being argued that section 175 and other general prohibitions on assault make section 176 redundant. With respect, we disagree.