Madam Speaker, I rise to present a petition on behalf of John and Barbara Stuart and 92 others in which they draw the attention of the House to the following.
The addition of sexual orientation as an explicitly protected category under section 318 and 319 of the Criminal Code of Canada could lead to individuals being unable to exercise their religious freedom as protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and to express their moral and religious doctrines regarding homosexuality without fear of criminal prosecution.
The current provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada can be effective in preventing true threats against individuals or groups without changes to section 318 and 319 of the code.
Therefore the petitioners call upon Parliament to protect the rights of Canadians to be free to share their religious beliefs without fear of prosecution.