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3mo ago

Liberals to Table Anti-Hate Bill Friday Targeting Intimidation and Terror Symbols

The government frames the move as a response to rising hate crimes alongside urgent requests from Jewish and Muslim communities for safer access to religious and cultural spaces.

A new bill would make it illegal to wave a swastika or other hate symbols in front of synagogues, such as the Schara Tzedeck synagogue, in Vancouver, B.C.
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Overview

  • Justice Minister Sean Fraser says he wants the legislation passed quickly and is open to all-party talks to expedite it.
  • The bill would create offences for wilfully obstructing or intimidating people entering places of worship, schools and community centres, as well as for issuing threats toward attendees.
  • According to government sources, it would criminalize publicly promoting hatred by displaying specified hate or terrorist symbols, such as swastikas or flags tied to listed entities including Hamas, Hezbollah, ISIS, the Proud Boys and the IRGC.
  • The proposal is expected to remove the requirement for provincial attorney-general consent before laying certain hate-propaganda charges to speed prosecutions.
  • Officials say the bill will define “hatred” in the Criminal Code, while civil liberties groups warn the thresholds could chill peaceful protest and Conservatives say they will review the text when it is tabled.