Harper promotes religious freedom office

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Stephen Harper promoted a Conservative platform pledge to create a special office dedicated to religious freedom at a campaign event Saturday in Mississauga, Ont.

“A re-elected Conservative government will continue to be a champion for freedom of religion and freedom of conscience around the world,” Harper said during a campaign stop at a Coptic centre.

The Tories have vowed to create a special Office of Religious Freedom in the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to monitor religious freedom around the world.

The office would promote religious freedom as a key objective of Canadian foreign policy and advance policies and programs that support religious freedom.

”We do need to do more for this cause,” Harper said. “It is a cause worthy of us as Canadians.”

Harper was joined by Peter Bhatti, brother of Shahbaz Bhatti, a Christian government minister in Pakistan who was shot dead in Islamabad after being threatened for opposing laws that impose the death penalty for insulting Islam.

The Conservative leader continued his push for a majority government Saturday, saying a "strong Conservative government" is needed to keep Canada on the right track.

Harper will head to Campbell River, B.C. for an event later in the day.

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