On March 11, Bill C-9, known as the Combatting Hate Act, was advanced by a 5-4 vote from the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. The bill is now reported back to the House of Commons for further consideration. Notably, Bloc Québécois MP Rhéal Fortin voted in favor alongside four Liberal MPs, while the four Conservative members opposed the motion.
The report stage and third reading of Bill C-9 have yet to be scheduled. A significant vote on March 10 concluded debate on the bill, passing with a margin of 186–144. The upcoming schedule allows for one day dedicated to the report stage and another for the third reading. It is anticipated that the bill will advance to the Senate between March 23 and 27, despite Parliament being in recess from March 16 to 20.
Key Provisions of Bill C-9
The revised version of Bill C-9 proposes a significant change by removing the religious speech defense from Section 319(3)(b) of the Criminal Code. This section, in place since 1970, traditionally protected individuals referencing religious texts, provided their statements were made in good faith.
- The current exemption protects religious discourse that does not willfully promote hatred.
- The Liberal MP Patricia Lattanzio introduced a new clause aimed at addressing faith concerns related to this removal.
Controversy and Opposition
Opposition to Bill C-9 has emerged from various segments of society, including millions of Canadians, religious groups, and legal experts. Conservative MP Andrew Lawton criticized the bill’s language as adding confusion and leaving room for hate charges against religious expressions.
Both the Canadian Catholic Civil Rights League (CCRL) and the Christian Legal Fellowship (CFL) have expressed concerns that proposed amendments do not sufficiently protect sincere religious speech from potential hate charges.
On March 10, over 350 Muslim organizations collaborated on an open letter opposing the bill, coordinated by the National Council of Canadian Muslims. This letter articulates collective apprehension about the bill’s potential implications for civil liberties.
Call to Action
The letter urges MPs to consider the bill’s impact on civil liberties, stating that it cannot effectively combat hate while infringing on the rights of faith communities. Key figures, including the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and Toronto Cardinal Frank Leo, have indicated they will lobby the Senate for further amendments if the bill passes as currently written.
As the situation develops, the conversation around Bill C-9 will be pivotal in defining the balance between combatting hate and safeguarding civil liberties in Canada.
