Of Eureka Moments and Magic Barometers: Freedom of Religion as the “First” Freedom in the Canadian Constitutional Context
1 (Lawyer), B.A., LL.B., LL.M., Ph.D. (Candidate). • The study of freedom of religion should be understood as the backdrop to my analysis of freedom of conscience in my master’s thesis entitled “Triangulation of Rights, Balancing of Interests: Exploring the Tensions between Freedom of Conscience and Freedom of Religion in Comparative Constitutional Law”, LL.M., Faculty of Graduate Studies, Université de Montréal, 2010. In this sense, I will attempt to redress the composition of freedom of religion and freedom of conscience in an effort to better understand these two fundamentally interrelated freedoms.
Résumé
La liberté de religion, souvent reconnue comme étant la « première liberté » dans de nombreuses traditions juridiques, reflète également les différentes conceptions de la place de l'individu et de la communauté dans la société. Cet article examinera la liberté de religion dans le contexte constitutionnel canadien. Nous avons choisi d'étudier la liberté de religion dans trois vagues successives : avant l'entrée en vigueur de la Déclaration canadienne des droits, sous la Déclaration canadienne des droits; et enfin, après l'entrée en vigueur de la Charte canadienne des droits et libertés. De plus, l'accommodement ainsi que de la proportionnalité de la liberté de religion d'un individu sera également traité. Ainsi que nous le démontrerons, la liberté de religion a engendré un repositionnement de l'individu face aux intérêts de la communauté ainsi qu'une réinterprétation des justifications menant à la sauvegarde de ces croyances.
English
Freedom of religion, often recognised as “first freedom” in numerous legal traditions, also reflects the different conceptions of the place of the individual and the collectivity in society. This article will examine freedom of religion in the Canadian constitutional context. I have elected to study freedom of religion in three successive waves: first, before the enactment of the Canadian Bill of Rights; second, under the Canadian Bill of Rights; lastly, after the enactment of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Moreover, the accommodation as well as the proportionality of one's freedom of religion is also addressed. Freedom of religion, as it shall be demonstrated, has engendered a re-positioning of individual and community interests as well as a reinterpretation of the justifications leading to the safeguarding of these beliefs.
Citation recommandée
Dia Dabby, « Of Eureka Moments and Magic Barometers: Freedom of Religion as the “First” Freedom in the Canadian Constitutional Context », (2010) 15-2, Lex Electronica En ligne : https://lexelectronica.openum.ca/s/276.Licence
© Dia Dabby