Justice Centre defends religious freedom in Quebec

'This case isn’t about the fine amount. It’s about protecting the fundamental right to religious expression,' said Oliver Seguin, lawyer with the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms.

Oliver Seguin, a lawyer with the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), recently discussed an upcoming court case defending religious freedom in Quebec. Seguin represents Claude Tremblay, a volunteer from the JASPE group, who received two fines totaling $900 from the city of Waterloo for door-to-door outreach to promote suicide prevention and mental health.

“This case isn’t about the fine amount,” Seguin stressed. “It’s about protecting the fundamental right to religious expression.” The JASPE group, composed of 70 volunteers, was established by a father who lost his son to suicide, prompting him to dedicate his life to mental health outreach and suicide prevention through religious door-to-door visits.

Seguin pointed to a 2003 Quebec Court of Appeal ruling that upheld the right to door-to-door religious outreach under Canada’s and Quebec’s charters on religious freedom and expression. “The right to knock on doors and share messages was upheld as part of religious freedom,” he explained.

However, Waterloo’s city prosecutor argued that Quebec’s 2019 Law on Secularism impacts this freedom. Seguin dismissed the claim, saying, “I don’t see the connection. The law on secularism emphasizes state neutrality but doesn’t restrict individuals from religious outreach.”

Looking forward, Seguin acknowledged that if they lose, they plan to appeal, viewing it as an opportunity to clarify the law’s limits. He cited confusion in Quebec about the secularism law, including a recent case where a National Assembly restaurant misinterpreted the law to deny a religious group’s reservation.

The trial is scheduled for November 18, where Seguin aims to reaffirm that Quebec’s secularism law does not override religious freedoms for individuals.

Donate Now!

Support Rebel News Field Reports! Your contribution helps our fearless journalists travel across the country to report on the stories mainstream media refuses to cover. Whether it's exposing government overreach, giving a voice to the voiceless, or documenting on-the-ground protests and events, Rebel News is dedicated to bringing you the unfiltered truth. With your help, we can continue to challenge censorship and provide Canadians with real, independent journalism. Please donate today to keep our Field Reports team on the frontlines!

Amount
$

Alexandra Lavoie

Quebec based Journalist

Alexa graduated with a degree in biology from Laval University. Throughout her many travels, she has seen political instability as well as corruption. While she witnessed social disorder on a daily basis, she has always been a defender of society’s most vulnerable. She’s been around the world several times, and now joins Rebel News to shed light on today’s biggest stories.

COMMENTS

Be the first to comment

Please check your e-mail for a link to activate your account.