From the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, P.C.

Message to the Delegates of the 24th World Religions Conference

October 2, 2004 - University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario

It is my pleasure to offer my best wishes to the delegates of the 24th World Religions Conference.  Every year this conference gathers together members of diverse faith communities with a view of increasing understanding and fraternity among all members of the human family.  I believe your efforts today are of utmost importance and relevance.  Promoting cohesion and understanding among various faith communities does not only benefit our country.  In these troubled times it is one of the most important challenges facing the world.  We are all too familiar with the disastrous consequences of those misguided attempts to use religion to justify intolerance and violence.  Endeavours such as the World Religions Conference are vital  for they demonstrate to the world that despite the richness of our differences, we have so much in common and can live together in a spirit of understanding and compassion.  I wish you success in your discussions.

Beverley McLachlin
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada