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Canada to Repeal Criminal Code Section 296?
Centre For Inquiry Canada began its campaign of opposition to Canada's blasphemous libel law in the autumn of 2014 with public education regarding the law, leading formation of the International Coalition Against Blasphemy Laws, meetings with high-ranking government officials and via significant support by our members of a Parliamentary petition which generated necessary support to earn Parliament's response.
We are very encouraged to note.........
On June 6, CBC News
reported that Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould tabled a bill that will repeal a number of outdated Criminal Code sections, including section 296, Canada's blasphemous libel law.
Other news sources:
Coincidentally, the Canadian government recently introduced a bill that would eliminate Canada's blasphemy law, known as "blasphemous libel." Introduced on June 6, Bill C-51 as part of a cleanup effort to eliminate outdated law in the Criminal Code.
While Marshall said he would agree with some opposition to blasphemy, he opposed criminalization, saying that "dragging the modern state into the matter increases hostility and will not have the desired effect."
In some countries such laws "tend to lead to mob and vigilante violence - which is a far greater threat to those accused than is state action."
National Post
Bill C-51, introduced Tuesday by Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, contains a large update to the Criminal Code that also repeals various obsolete, irrelevant or unconstitutional sections.
In addition, the legislation will require every new government bill come with a statement describing how it affects Charter rights and freedom, a practice the Liberal government has already been following under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
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