Bloc Québécois leader, Yves-François Blanchet, has issued a warning of potential political repercussions if the Liberals backtrack on accepting his party’s contentious amendment aimed at eliminating a religious exemption for hate speech from the Criminal Code. Blanchet expressed disappointment during a media briefing on Parliament Hill, emphasizing that the Bloc Québécois had an agreement with the minority government Liberals to modify a section of Bill C-9, known as the Combatting Hate Act.
Currently, the Criminal Code contains a provision that exempts hate speech if it is expressed in good faith regarding a religious subject or belief in a religious text. Blanchet revealed that the plan was to propose the Bloc’s amendment to strike that section during a detailed review at the House justice committee, but the session was unexpectedly canceled.
Blanchet insinuated that the Liberals may have hesitated due to the presence of certain groups’ representatives at a previous committee meeting earlier in the week. He highlighted concerns that the Liberals might repeat this behavior in the future. The Bloc Québécois leader emphasized that his party’s backing for the bill hinges on passing the religious exemption amendment, particularly in light of the ongoing debate on secularism in Quebec.
Blanchet urged the Liberals to proceed with the amendment next week, cautioning that failure to do so would carry significant political consequences. Notably, the bill’s survival could be jeopardized if the Bloc withdrew its support, as the Conservatives argue that Bill C-9 infringes on freedom of speech. Opposition to the Bloc’s proposal has been staunch, with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre stating that the amendment could criminalize sections of sacred texts.
Meanwhile, newly appointed justice committee chair James Maloney defended his decision to cancel the committee meeting, citing difficulties in navigating the emotions and complexities surrounding the legislation. A spokesperson for Justice Minister Sean Fraser reiterated the government’s openness to collaborating with all parties, including the Bloc, to enhance protections against rising hate incidents in Canada.
Fraser introduced Bill C-9 in response to a campaign pledge, aiming to criminalize intentional obstruction or intimidation at places of worship, schools, and community centers. The legislation responds to escalating tensions linked to public demonstrations in Canada since the Israel-Gaza conflict in October 2023. Proposed provisions include criminalizing the promotion of hatred against identifiable groups using specific hate- or terrorism-related symbols, including those associated with the Holocaust and designated terrorist organizations. Additionally, the bill seeks to establish hate-motivated crimes as distinct offenses.