Canadians Urged to Stand Up for Financial Privacy and Religious Freedom as Major Policy Changes Loom

CANADA– As 2025 comes to a close, Freedoms Advocate, a national charitable organization defending faith, family, and freedom, warns that 2026 will bring major changes to Canada’s banking system and rights to freedom of speech.

The group predicts a critical year for Canadians’ privacy, free speech, and religious freedoms, especially as new government proposals are set to affect all consumers who bank with major financial institutions, plus looming restrictions on religious expression.

A new open-banking framework set to launch in 2026 promises “consumer-driven banking,” but most Canadians remain unaware of the potential risks to their personal financial data.

According to Freedoms Advocate, what begins as voluntary data sharing could evolve into widespread access by corporations, regulators, or future governments.

To address this, Freedoms Advocate has released a new educational brief, Open Banking in Canada: Better Service or the Path to Mandatory Data Sharing?

The report explains how open banking could create unprecedented exposure of Canadians’ financial information and highlights the importance of informed public engagement.

“Convenience should not come at the expense of privacy,” said Randy Crosson, Executive Director of Freedoms Advocate. “We’re committed to educating Canadians so they understand the stakes before these changes take effect.”

The organization also emphasizes that threats extend beyond financial privacy. New federal proposals could eliminate the religious exemption for speech based on religious texts, including the Bible, potentially criminalizing expressions of faith and conscience.

“These proposals are not minor legal adjustments — they represent a direct threat to freedom of religion, conscience, and expression,” said Mr. Crosson. “If Canadians don’t act, what starts as ‘hate speech reform’ could silence faith-based voices and traditional values.”

Freedoms Advocate operates entirely on donations and receives no government funding. Tax deductible contributions to the charity fund:

• Educational briefs on emerging threats to privacy and freedom
• Tracking and exposure of legislative and regulatory developments
• Strategic legal cases defending Canadians’ rights in court
• Public awareness campaigns to mobilize citizens before it’s too late

“December is the month when many Canadians make charitable donations, and your support now ensures we can continue protecting freedoms in 2026 and beyond,” added Mr. Crosson.