Overview
- Bill C-9 cleared third reading in the House with Bloc Québécois support after months of Conservative filibusters, and senators are expected to study it after Parliament’s Easter break.
- The bill creates new crimes for willfully promoting hatred by publicly displaying hate or terror-linked symbols and for blocking access to places of worship or other community sites, with penalties of up to 10 years.
- Passage hinged on a Bloc amendment that removes a decades-old Criminal Code defence for good-faith religious expression, which Conservatives and several faith groups say threatens religious freedom.
- Justice Minister Sean Fraser says the change will not criminalize faith, as major Jewish organizations welcomed the Commons vote and civil-liberties groups warned it could chill lawful protest or sweep in look-alike imagery.
- Some Indo‑Canadian groups say the symbols provision answers concerns about public glorification of Khalistani‑listed groups such as Babbar Khalsa International and the International Sikh Youth Federation.