Conservative MP Jamil Jivani has launched a new campaign to address what he describes as escalating threats to the rights and freedoms of Christians in Canada.
The national initiative, called “Protect Christians Canada,” is centred around a petition urging governments at all levels to take stronger action to defend religious freedoms and Christian communities. The petition was authored by concerned residents in Ontario’s Durham Region, which Jivani represents in Parliament.
At the campaign’s launch, Jivani made an impassioned plea for support, emphasizing the urgency of the issue.
“We need to do more to protect Christians in Canada,” he said.
“This is about whether Christians have the freedom in Canada to live according to their own traditions and practice their own faith.”
Jivani also stressed that the initiative is not about imposing Christian values on others but about ensuring that Christians can live freely without fear of discrimination or violence.
It outlines several priorities, including strengthening penalties for crimes targeting places of worship, such as arson and vandalism. Jivani also highlighted the need to defend parental rights, safeguard the conscience rights of healthcare workers, and protect the legal status and freedom of expression of Christian charities.
Jivani pointed to recent incidents that underscore the importance of the campaign. In education, there has been growing concern over policies that exclude parents from key decisions about their children’s gender identity. Some parents have even faced child services investigations for questioning their child’s transition.
Meanwhile, healthcare professionals have spoken out against legislation they believe infringes on their right to refuse participation in procedures like medical assistance in dying.
Churches have also increasingly been targeted by crime. As exclusively reported by True North, since the discovery of unmarked graves at former residential school sites, over 100 churches across Canada have been vandalized or burned.
Jivani also emphasized that the broader social contributions of Christian charities to Canadian society, including their $67.5 billion economic impact, must not be undermined by policies threatening their charitable status.
The petition aims to gather widespread support and will be presented in Ottawa in February, according to the Durham MP.
