A Message from the Chief Executive Officer

  Bill C-9: Navigating Uncertainty
with Hope

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
 so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
~ Romans 15:13 ESV

The birth of Jesus was far from the calm and tranquil scene often portrayed in our Christmas carols. He entered the world during a time when the Jewish people, under Roman rule, struggled with intense oppression, economic hardships and ongoing religious conflicts. This backdrop foreshadowed Christ’s earthly life, for He was not exempt from the political, cultural and religious pressures of His era. We know from the Scriptures that Jesus' life was defined not just by His challenges, but by His triumphant victory over sin and death. Through His sacrificial love and obedience, He fulfilled God's divine plan, restoring humanity's relationship with the Father and bringing Him immense glory.

So, as we celebrate the birth of the newborn King and rejoice in the hope of salvation, we must also remember that life’s trials and difficulties remain. As witnessed in our daily news feeds, suffering on this earthly plane is still very much part of our human experience. Every worldview grapples with the issue of pain; yet, for us Christians, the Bible – God’s Holy Word – offers profound insights. From a Biblical perspective, we not only acknowledge that suffering is a genuine part of life, we believe that God will eventually use it to serve His greater purposes. And, while doing so, He will assuredly guide us so we can respond to life’s struggles with confidence and trust.

Here in Canada, Christians are not immune from the pressures that threaten our religious freedoms and the public expression of Biblical truth. One of the latest challenges we’re presently facing are the proposed amendments to Bill C-9. If passed, this legislation will subsequently alter areas of the Criminal Code that address hate propaganda, hate crimes and Canadians’ access to religious or cultural places. Therefore, the proposed amendments call for careful deliberation and a strategic response.

VOMC’s primary mission is to respond to the needs of persecuted Christians in countries that restrict religious freedom. However, we must also remain alert to potential threats within Canada that could hinder the proclamation of the Gospel. To address these critical issues at the political and judicial levels, VOMC maintains strong partnerships with exceptional Christian organizations such as the Christian Legal Fellowship (CLF) and the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) – highly credible groups that are serving at the forefront of this vital work. These organizations need your prayers and support as they champion the rights and freedoms of Canada’s faith communities while holding firmly to Biblical truths and doctrine.

The EFC recently released an update on Bill C-9 and the “good-faith religious belief defence,” which you can review at TheEFC.ca/C-9. This information is an excellent resource, for it carefully outlines the key issues and concerns we’re all presently facing. More importantly, it offers practical action items that every Christian can engage in to make a positive difference within our country.

Concerned Canadian citizens can respond in the following ways:

1. Pray that, as Christians, we would honour God and love our neighbours in all conversations, including those relating to the proposed bill. 
   
   
2. Contact your local MP. As Bill C-9 is still being studied by the Justice Committee, MPs will have opportunities to vote on the amendments and the bill as a whole. You can find your local MP contact information here. The EFC’s talking points, with sample wording, are available at TheEFC.ca/C-9.
   
   Ask your local MP to: 
   • Reinstate the “good-faith religious belief defence.”
   • Ensure that the definition of “hatred” is appropriate and carefully worded.
   • Enforce existing laws to protect religious minorities and address the alarming level of antisemitism in Canada.
     
     
3. Plan to contact your province’s Senators in the new year. While Senators aren’t elected, they may be open to persuasion and evidence. It’s essential that they hear the expressed concerns of Canadians explaining why this bill requires careful review.

To this list, I would add two more things that you can do:

1. It is crucial to gather accurate information. In a world overflowing with misinformation, many individuals tend to respond to issues without fully grasping the facts. This often causes more harm than good. Therefore, I strongly urge you to take the time to educate yourself about what Bill C-9 truly entails and what it does not.
   
   
2. Do not let negative fear take control. While fear serves as an essential warning system and keeps us alert to potential dangers, it can become overwhelming if we allow it to dominate our emotions. When fear takes the reins, we might find ourselves panicking, feeling anxious or depressed, and ultimately making hasty and rash decisions.

I started this blog message by noting that the first Christmas unfolded during a dark and perilous time for the children of Israel. However, it would be remiss of me to end this message without reminding us all that the most important event that first Christmas was not the presence of darkness. Rather, since the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, Jesus is “the Light [that] shines in the darkness” (John 1:14,5 ESV). In fact, our Lord Jesus is the reason we can sing in any season:

“Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be glory given!
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing!”¹

As we gather to celebrate this Christmas amid the uncertainties surrounding Bill C-9, let us lift our hearts in joy to the One who came to fulfill the Father’s will and liberate His people from sin and death. He is Lord and, in His name, “all oppression shall cease.”² Therefore, “O come, let us adore Him!”

Keep looking up,

Floyd A. Brobbel
Chief Executive Officer
Voice of the Martyrs Canada Inc.

Endnotes: ¹ Lyrics from the hymn, O Come, All Ye Faithful, by John Francis Wade; translated by Frederick Oakeley. ² Lyrics from the hymn, O Holy Night, by Placide Cappeau; translated by John Sullivan Dwight.