Overview
- The Bloc Québécois plans to introduce an amendment Thursday to remove the Criminal Code’s Section 319 defence for good-faith opinions based on religious texts during Bill C-9’s clause-by-clause review.
- Liberal ministers have indicated openness to the change, with Culture Minister Marc Miller endorsing the removal and Justice Minister Sean Fraser saying he would accept it if a committee majority agrees after hearing witnesses.
- Conservatives oppose the amendment as a threat to freedom of expression and religion and previously stalled committee work with a filibuster, compressing the timetable before Parliament’s Dec. 12 recess.
- Reporting indicates the Liberal–Bloc talks include keeping the requirement for provincial attorneys general to approve hate-propaganda charges, even as the religious-text defence is targeted for removal.
- Civil-liberties and faith groups urge caution or withdrawal of Bill C-9, which also targets public display of hate and terror symbols and creates a new offence for intimidation at places of worship and similar institutions.