On this episode of the Confederation Report, Steven is joined by Paul Lawton of ARPA Canada to discuss Bill C-9, which has radical implications for free speech and religious expression in Canada. They explore what the bill means for Christians, the importance of civil liberties, and how believers can respond to legislative challenges.

Bill C-9 broadens definitions of hate and could threaten religious expression. The removal of the religious defense increases uncertainty for Christians speaking publicly. Christians are called to speak truth boldly despite legislative pressures.

📖 Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Confederation Report
00:29 Overview of Bill C-9
01:51 Understanding ARPA Canada
03:20 The Problematic Nature of Hate Speech
05:08 The Good Faith Religious Defense
06:05 Legal Implications of Bill C-9
08:58 Current Status of Bill C-9
10:08 Self-Censorship Among Christians
12:58 The Role of the State vs. the Church
15:14 Mobilizing Christian Citizens
17:58 Encouragement for Pastors and Teachers
19:44 Resources for Engaging with Culture

ARPA Canada - https://arpacanada.ca/

📚 Episode Resources:
ARPA Canada - https://arpacanada.ca/
Stop C-9 Campaign - https://stopc9.ca/
Lex Rex by Samuel Rutherford - https://www.amazon.com/Lex-Rex-Political-Theology-Authority/dp/1601785914
King of Kings by James Verde - https://www.amazon.com/King-Kings-Political-Thought-Religion/dp/XXXX

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This is The Confederation Report, a flagship podcast of the Cántaro Institute providing analysis of Canadian news and culture from a Biblical worldview.

Excerpt: The Confederation Report returns after a brief hiatus to examine major political and cultural developments—from the fall of Nicolás Maduro to Canada’s Bill C-9 controversy—while reflecting on these events through a distinctly biblical worldview.

Opening Words (00:00-00:35)

Part I: It Has Been Awhile (00:35–05:31)
After a brief hiatus, The Confederation Report returns to reflect on major developments—from Nicolás Maduro’s removal and the national backlash against Bill C-9 to the Cántaro Institute’s acquisition of the 171-acre Worldview Campus—while considering these events in light of God’s providence.

Part II: Bill C-9, Clinton, and Allie-Beth Stuckey (05:31–10:19)
Bill C-9 raised serious concerns among Canadians—especially Christians—about the potential criminalization of biblical teaching, prompting a rare nationwide backlash that forced the government to pause the legislation while the cultural debate over truth, empathy, and political coercion continues.

Part III: Drugs, Cartels, and Puerto Vallarta (10:19–13:20)
Following the death of cartel leader “El Mencho” during a Mexican military raid, violent reprisals erupted across western Mexico, exposing the deep instability surrounding cartel power and prompting Christians to pray for justice, repentance, and gospel renewal in the region.

Did You Know? (13:20 –14:04)
On June 2, 1866, Canadian militia forces clashed with Fenian insurgents at the Battle of Ridgeway—the last foreign invasion fought on Ontario soil—an engagement that left nine Canadians dead and later helped inspire the tradition that evolved into modern Remembrance Day.

Recommended Resource (14:04 –15:32)
This week’s recommended resource is authored by yours truly, The Seven Woes: Christ’s Indictment of False Religion and the Call to True Religion.

For more information, go to cantaroinstitute.org
For books on worldview, philosophy, and theology, go to:
📚 https://cantaroinstitute.store

Closing Words (15:34)

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This is The Confederation Report, a weekly analysis of Canadian news and culture from a Biblical worldview.

Excerpt: Christ is Lord over all things—yes, even over Caesar. We believe the Gospel we proclaim changes lives. And if we disciple believers in a holistic, full-orbed Gospel—Christ for all of life—we should expect to see culture and society change as well.

Opening Words (00:00-00:35)

Part I: Bill C-9 and the Lordship of Christ (00:35–05:17)
The Liberal government, with the support of the Bloc Québécois, has moved to remove Canada’s long-standing religious-text exemption from the Criminal Code’s hate-speech laws. This exemption has historically protected Canadians who speak “in good faith” from Scripture or other sacred texts—even when addressing controversial moral topics. Under new amendments tied to Bill C-9, that defence would be eliminated, meaning religious expression itself could be exposed to hate-speech prosecution.

Part II: Property Rights Out the Door (05:17–09:09)
A recent court ruling recognized an Indigenous title claim over a defined area of land in the Lower Mainland, land upon which hundreds of Canadian homeowners have long held ownership. While the ruling itself does not immediately dispossess residents of their homes, it has exposed a profound failure of government leadership.

Part III: A Heritage Older Than We Knew(09:09–11:43)
Would you believe me if I told you that Christianity may have reached Canada well before the French and the English?

Did You Know? (11:43 –13:04)
Recent scientific research has established with remarkable precision that Norse explorers were present in what is now Canada in the year 1021 AD, exactly one millennium ago.

Recommended Resource (13:04 –13:54)
This week’s recommended resource is This Is My God: The Story of a Dutch Immigrant, His Country, and His God, the autobiography of John Hultink.

Pre-order today!: https://www.cantaroinstitute.store/collections/frontpage/products/this-is-my-god-the-story-of-a-dutch-immigrant-his-country-and-his-god-pre-order

Closing Words (13:54)

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