Religious freedom envoy joins think-tank ahead of Liberals' decision on office

Religious freedoms ambassador Andrew Bennett has joineda public policy think-tank amid uncertainty over the future of hisoffice under the Liberal government.

The Canadian Press has learned that Bennett has become a seniorfellow at Cardus, a research group that bills its work as stemmingfrom "2,000 years of Christian social thought."

He will also chair the group's Faith in Canada 150 program whilehe serves out the balance of his term as ambassador.

"I look forward very much to working with Cardus, the think-tankbest placed in my view to reaffirm the essential and foundationalrole of faith in our common life as Canadians,"Bennett said in astatement to The Canadian Press.

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The Tories set up the Office of Religious Freedom in 2013, andappointed Bennett, a former public servant and Christian theologian,as its first ambassador.

His three-year termwas supposed to end last month, but theLiberals extended it until the end of March to coincide with theexpiration of the office's mandate and annual $5 million in funding.

Liberals question office's efficacy

Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion has been sending signals,however, that neither will be renewed in their current form.

He told the Senate he was considering whether the office was thebest way to protect religious freedoms.

"Is that the best approach? As you know, according tointernational convention, rights are indivisible, interrelated and
interdependent, and that is the approach we want to develop," hesaid in February.

"Freedom of religion could never be defended without freedom ofconscience, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, or freedomof movement. That is all very important. That will be the focus ofour thinking in determining how best to defend the various rights."

PM announces Office of Religious Freedom

12 years ago

Duration 14:52

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announces Dr. Andrew Bennett will head up Canada's Office of Religious Freedom

While Bennett is joining Cardus immediately, he remains on thepublic payroll. His job with the group is unpaid and the ForeignAffairs department said it will not affect his work with thegovernment.

A spokesperson for Dion said no decision has been made yet on thefuture of the office.

"We are grateful for his continued service as we carefullyconsider how best to preserve and protect all human rights,
including the vital freedom of religion or belief," Chantal Gagnon,a spokeswoman for Dion, said in an e-mail.

Office created by the Tories

The Tories first announced plans for the office during the 2011campaign, saying they were provoked by the assassination of aChristian politician in Pakistan to do more to protect religiousminorities around the world as part of their foreign policy.

The move was criticized, however, as being a dangerous mix ofreligion and politics and concerns were raised it wouldn't seek topromote the freedom of all religions equally.

Among other places, the office has funded projects in Myanmar,Iraq, Indonesia and Pakistan focused on raising awareness andsupport for religious diversity and tolerance.

Conservatives, as well as Jewish, Sikh and Ahmadiyya Muslimgroups, have been lobbying the Liberals to keep the office in place,saying with religious persecution underpinning so many globalconflicts, its work is more important than ever.

Cardus' Faith in Canada 150 program will bring together religiousleaders from all backgrounds ahead of Canada's 150th birthday tofocus on the role of faith in Canada.

"Ambassador Bennett's deep understanding of how we can livetogether in difference is essential for this national celebration,"Michael Van Pelt, the president of Cardus, said in a statement.