Stephen Harper

PM Stephen Harper appoints Andrew Bennet as Canada’s Religious Freedom Ambassador

Today Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the establishment of the Office of Religious Freedom. The office will be headed by a public servant lauded for his “deep convictions” — to promote freedom of religion around the world. Speaking at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Centre in Toronto Prime Minister Stephen Harper said: “Around the world, violations of religious freedom are widespread and they are increasing,” “Dr. Bennett is a man of principle and deep convictions and he will encourage the protection of …

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to name Canada’s first religious freedom ambassador at Ahmadiyya Muslim Centre

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will unveil the government’s long-awaited Office of Religious Freedom and name Canada’s first religious freedom ambassador at a Toronto-area Ahmadiyya Muslim community centre on Tuesday. The announcement at Tahir Hall in the Toronto suburb of Vaughan will fulfil a two-year-old promise that has seen its fair share of controversy since it was first proposed during the 2011 federal election. The government has pointed to a growing body of literature linking religious freedom with democratic rights and …