Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet has warned of potential political repercussions if the Liberals backtrack on accepting his party’s contentious proposal to eliminate a religious exemption for hate speech from the Criminal Code. Blanchet spoke to the press at Parliament Hill, emphasizing that the Bloc had an agreement with the minority government to modify a portion of Bill C-9, known as the Combatting Hate Act.
Currently, the Criminal Code includes an exemption for hate speech related to religious subjects or beliefs. The Bloc intended to present an amendment to remove this provision during a scheduled clause-by-clause review at the House justice committee, which was unexpectedly canceled.
Blanchet indicated that the Liberals may have reconsidered their stance after certain groups’ representatives attended a committee meeting earlier in the week, expressing concerns about potential backlash. He emphasized that the Bloc’s support for the bill hinges on the acceptance of the religious exemption amendment, highlighting the ongoing significance of secularism in Quebec.
Failure to secure Bloc support could jeopardize the bill’s passage, as the Conservatives argue that Bill C-9 restricts free speech. Opposition to the Bloc’s proposal is strong, with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre cautioning that the amendment could criminalize portions of religious texts.
Liberal MP James Maloney, who recently assumed the role of justice committee chair, explained that he canceled the committee meeting due to escalating tensions and the lack of a clear path forward on crucial legislative matters. Justice Minister Sean Fraser’s spokesperson reaffirmed the government’s willingness to collaborate with all parties, including the Bloc, to enhance protections against hate crimes.
Bill C-9, introduced by Fraser, aims to criminalize intentional obstructions or intimidation at places of worship, schools, and community centers. The legislation responds to heightened tensions during public demonstrations in Canada, particularly since the Israel-Gaza conflict in October 2023. The bill proposes new Criminal Code offenses, including the criminalization of promoting hatred against identifiable groups using specific hate- or terrorism-related symbols, such as those associated with the Holocaust or designated terrorist organizations like the Proud Boys and Hamas.
Overall, the bill seeks to establish hate-motivated crimes as distinct offenses within the legal framework, addressing the escalating concerns surrounding hate speech and related activities.
[Source](https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bloc-quebecois-c9-hate-speech-religion-9.7003432)