The fate of the federal government’s anti-hate legislation, Bill C-9, is uncertain following reports that a deal brokered between Justice Minister Sean Fraser’s office and the Bloc Québécois has not received approval from the Prime Minister’s Office. Bill C-9 aims to introduce new Criminal Code offenses, including criminalizing the intentional promotion of hatred against identifiable groups in public using specific hate- or terrorism-related symbols. Additionally, the bill seeks to establish hate-motivated crimes as a distinct offense and address the intentional intimidation and obstruction of individuals outside places of worship.
Given the minority government scenario, the Liberals require support to pass the bill, which is scheduled for a detailed examination by the justice committee comprising Liberal, Conservative, and Bloc Québécois MPs. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet disclosed that his party reached an agreement with the Liberals to amend the Criminal Code by eliminating a religious exemption from hate speech laws, as reported by the National Post.
According to sources who spoke to CBC News on condition of anonymity, the bill’s progress was impeded because the Prime Minister had not authorized the arrangement made by Justice Minister Sean Fraser’s office with the Bloc Québécois. A last-minute notice was issued for a justice committee meeting to finalize the clause-by-clause review of the bill on Tuesday after the cancellation of committee sessions by the Liberals the previous week.
In response to speculations of discord with the Prime Minister’s Office, a spokesperson for Fraser emphasized the ongoing collaboration between Minister Fraser and the Prime Minister. Bloc Québécois has insisted on the removal of the religious exemption from the bill, a stance opposed by the Conservatives. The Bloc’s push to eliminate the religious exemption is based on concerns that religion could be exploited to propagate hate, such as homophobia and antisemitism.
The prospect of the Liberals endorsing the Bloc’s proposed amendment remains uncertain. Various religious groups, including Catholics and Muslims, have raised concerns that the amendment could potentially stifle or criminalize religious discourse. Conversely, five Jewish organizations, including the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), have urged parliamentarians to advance the bill to combat escalating levels of hate and intimidation in Canada.
As the House of Commons prepares to adjourn for the holidays, the fate of the bill hangs in the balance, with implications for the government’s stance on hate speech legislation.