Stop Arresting Pastors Petition

Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, section 2 (a) guarantees “freedom of conscience and religion.” Federal law in section 176 prohibits anyone who “unlawfully obstructs or prevents or endeavours to obstruct or prevent an officiant from celebrating a religious or spiritual service or performing any other function in connection with their calling.”

We, the undersigned, hereby call upon Mayor John Tory and Police Chief Saunders to ensure that the Charter rights of pastors and clergy are protected, and pastors are not to be interrupted or arrested for preaching the Gospel on our streets. Christ’s Great Commission demands that we preach. This religious practice goes back to the Apostle Paul as he preached on Mars Hill in Athens and on the street corners of Ceasarea.