Canada’s House of Commons passed Bill C-9 in a 186–137 vote, sending it to the Senate for review. The bill has raised concerns among religious groups about its potential impact on freedom of expression and belief. Advocacy groups and religious leaders are now urging public engagement as the legislative process continues.
Canada’s House of Commons has passed Bill C-9, known as the “Combatting Hate Act,” in a 186–137 vote, sending the proposed law to the Senate for further review. The bill has drawn attention from religious groups and political leaders due to concerns that it could affect freedom of expression, particularly related to quoting religious texts such as the Bible.
The vote took place early Wednesday evening, with Members of Parliament from the Liberal Party and the Bloc Québécois supporting the bill. In contrast, MPs from the Conservative Party, the New Democratic Party, and the Green Party voted against it. The outcome reflects a rare moment of alignment among opposition parties that often differ on policy matters.
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Bill C-9 was introduced last year by Justice Minister Sean Fraser. It is framed as legislation aimed at addressing hate-related conduct. However, critics argue that its wording could extend to religious expression, including statements made from religious texts on issues such as family, gender, and morality.
The legislation now moves to the Senate, where it will undergo review before a final vote. The Senate includes many members appointed during the tenure of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a factor that some opponents say could influence the outcome of the review process.
Before the vote, Conservative MPs attempted to introduce amendments to change the wording of the bill. These efforts were unsuccessful. Earlier in the week, Liberal MPs advanced the bill through the report stage and also moved to end debate during the committee stage, limiting further discussion before the final vote in the House.
The Campaign Life Coalition criticized the passage of the bill and warned of possible challenges for religious communities. In a statement, Campaigns Manager David Cooke said the bill could lead to increased hostility toward Christians and pro-life advocates.
Cooke stated that while the bill is presented as a measure against hate, some religious leaders believe it may result in legal action against individuals for expressing beliefs rooted in scripture. He added that concerns include the potential for enforcement by authorities in ways that could affect faith-based teachings on life and family issues.
Another representative from the group, Jack Fonseca, said the focus has now shifted to the Senate. He noted that stopping the bill at this stage may be difficult but called on citizens to contact senators through phone calls, emails, and other forms of communication to express their views.
Fonseca also encouraged supporters to engage in peaceful advocacy and, for those who are religious, to include prayer and fasting as part of their response. He emphasized that public engagement could still influence the final decision before the bill becomes law.
Concerns about the bill have also been raised by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. The group issued an open letter criticizing an amendment that removed a religious exemption from the legislation. The bishops called for the reinstatement of that exemption, stating it is important for protecting freedom of belief.
Legal experts have also commented on the bill, with some suggesting that it could allow authorities to act in cases where individuals are perceived to have caused harm through speech. Critics argue that the interpretation of what constitutes harmful or hateful expression could be broad, leading to uncertainty about how the law would be applied in practice.
As Bill C-9 moves forward, the debate continues between those who support stronger measures against hate and those who are concerned about protecting freedom of religion and expression. The final decision now rests with the Senate, where the bill will face further scrutiny before any potential enactment.
