Stephen Harper Names Ottawa Academic Andrew Bennett

to Head Office of Religious Freedom

By Mark Kennedy,

Postmedia News, February 20, 2013

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Ottawa – Canada has established an Office of Religious Freedom - to be headed by a public servant lauded for his “deep convictions” – to promote freedom of religion around the world.

The announcement, which stems from a Conservative election promise nearly two years ago, was made [February 19] by Prime Minister Stephen Harper at a mosque in Maple, Ont., north of Toronto.

Harper announced that the Office, located within the Department of Foreign Affairs, will be headed by an “ambassador” – Andrew Bennett. Dr. Bennett has worked for various federal departments and agencies, including the powerful Privy Council Office. The government said Bennett has extensive educational background in history, political science and religious studies.

As well, he is active as a religious leader in Ottawa, as Subdeacon and Cantor with both the Holy Cross Eastern Catholic Chaplaincy and St. John the Baptist Ukrainian-Catholic Shrine.

“Around the world, violations of religious freedom are widespread and they are increasing,” Harper said in a statement.

“Dr. Bennett is a man of principle and deep convictions and he will encourage the protection of religious minorities around the world so all can practise their faith without fear of violence and repression.”

The Office of Religious Freedom – which will be staffed by five employees, including Bennett – will have an annual budget of $5 million. The government said the new office, which is now “operational,” will promote freedom of religion or belief as a Canadian foreign policy priority.

“The Office will be an important vehicle through which Canada can advance fundamental Canadian values including freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law worldwide,” said a background document released by the government.

“Specifically, the Office will focus on advocacy, analysis, policy development and programming relating to: protecting and advocating on behalf of religious minorities under threat; opposing religious hatred and intolerance; and, promoting Canadian values of pluralism and tolerance abroad.”

The government has pointed to a growing body of literature linking religious freedom with democratic rights and societal well-being to justify making the safeguarding of religious minorities abroad a key tenet of Canadian foreign policy.

But critics have worried about the government picking and choosing which religions the Office defends, and using the institution as a tool for domestic political gain.

PHOTO

 Prime Minister Stephen Harper shakes hands with Dr. Andrew Bennett as he is named ambassador to the Office of Religious Freedom in Vaughan, Ont., north of Toronto