Bill C-9, the so-called “Combatting Hate Act” would make extreme changes to Canada’s hate speech and hate crime laws, stifling ordinary debate across the country. While prejudice and discrimination should be condemned, Bill C-9 would give the government new power to subjectively determine which words and ideas are acceptable – a direct threat to the Charter right to freedom of expression. The bill was pushed through debate at Justice Committee, recently passed in the House of Commons, and is now in the hands of the Senate.

Canadians need to know that Bill C-9:

• Creates a new standalone hate offence. Even minor regulatory breaches could be turned into serious crimes if labelled “motivated by hatred.”
• Criminalizes the display of certain symbols. Outlawing specific images will not end hate, but drive it underground and make it harder to confront.
• Threatens religious discourse. Removing defences for good-faith religious expression risks criminalizing honest discussion based on deeply held beliefs.

Bill C-9 will chill debate, silence dissent, limit discussion on controversial moral questions, and erode one of the most fundamental freedoms in our democracy.

The CCF urges the Senate to do the right thing and fix Bill C-9. Canadians are not safer when controversial speech is driven underground. The best answer to hate is more speech – not censorship.