Andrew Wildes, Gleaner Writer
Dr. Janet Epp Buckingham., Director of Law and Public Policy for the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, addresses a meeting of concerned Christians hosted by the Lawyers Christian Fellowship at the Rehoboth Gospel Assembly, Constant Spring, St. Andrew on Saturday night. The meeting was held to examine "How the Canadian Charter of Rights Changed Canada" in hopes of drumming up support against provisions of the proposed Charter of Rights and Freedoms for Jamaica. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
MEMBERS OF the local Christian community are strengthening their resolve against elements of the proposed Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Under the charge of the Lawyers' Christian Fellowship, concerned Christians convened at the Rehoboth Gospel Assembly, Constant Spring Road, St. Andrew, Saturday night, to examine How the Canadian Charter of Rights changed Canada.
Dr. Janet Epp Buckingham, director of law and public policy for the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, highlighted the Canadian experience and said she was concerned about Jamaica's proposed charter.
"Twenty-five years ago in Canada, we were right where you are now ... twenty-five years ago none in Canada anticipated the kind of changes the charter would bring," Dr. Buckingham said. "We knew what had happened in the U.S., we knew their abortion laws were pushed out, how religion was pushed out of schools. We knew, but we said we are a Christian country, our courts will not do that."
MOST LIBERAL
Today Canada is considered one of the most liberal nations in the world and, according to Dr. Buckingham, ultimate power, through the Rights Charter, comes to rest with the court rather than Parliament.
She suggested it allows the courts to give remedy, even if there is a constitutional infringement, and that the courts would have the ability to strike down and make laws by "reading into" laws.
Dr. Buckingham said that, the more vague laws are, the less likely they are able to always protect the interest of the people they were established to protect.
Dr. Buckingham cited numerous cases through which the Canadian Supreme Court struck down laws related to abortion, homosexuality, porno-graphy and other issues. She said freedom of religion in the education sector has been the greatest challenge.
"Everybody wants the next generation," she said. There were several cases of how Christian schools which received state funding were often forced to act in contravention of their beliefs or lose funding.
Shirley Richards, president of the Lawyers Christian Fellowship, issued a stern warning to Christians that the battle had only just begun. Mrs. Richards told The Gleaner that her team was making steady progress in its struggle. "The joint select committee has agreed to hear us, and we think that is a big step," she said.
During the meeting, Christians were encouraged to attend the sitting of the committee, scheduled for tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., and to support petitions which are soon to be circulated.
