MPs Remove Religious Exemption From Hate-Speech Laws

MPs remove religious exemption from hate-speech laws

Liberal MPs supported an amendment to a bill tabled by the Bloc Québécois to remove the exemption

Justice Minister Says Committee to Decide on Hate Crime Bill as Bloc Decries ‘Sabotage’

Justice Minister Sean Fraser has come under fire from the Bloc Québécois after he reportedly pulled his support for their amendment to his hate crime bill seeking to remove the religious defence to hate speech. Fraser took questions from Bloc MPs in the House of Commons on Dec. 8, in his first public comments addressing the controversy that emerged last week. Bloc MP Christine Normandin accused the Conservatives of trying to “sabotage” her party…

Faith leaders warn of 'chill' if Ottawa reworks hate laws

Read: 3 min Christian, Muslim and Jewish organizations are responding to a proposal to eliminate a religious exemption to Canada’s federal hate crimes legislation. In September, the government introduced Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, which would introduce offences for publicly displaying symbols such as the swastika, impeding access to places of worship or other social centres, or committing offences motivated by hate.  The minority Liberal…

LILLEY: Liberals caught between a rock and the Bible on hate speech law

The Carney government’s attempt to pass a new hate crimes law has hit a snag after they agreed to eliminate the religious exemption clause from the Criminal Code. The Liberals were finding no support for their bill until they agreed last week to amendments from the Bloc Quebecois to remove the defence based on religious belief.

Justice minister breaks silence on deal with Bloc to remove religious exemption in hate speech laws

Fraser broke his silence about his government’s floundering deal with the Bloc Québécois to remove the religious exemption for hate speech.