Bill C-9

The Combatting Hate Act, the controversial piece of legislation that abolishes the longstanding sincere religious text defence from Canada’s hate speech laws, completed final passage on June 17.

Some weeks ago, the Register expressed hope that the Senate would get the message about the dangerous implications of Bill C-9, the so-called Combatting Hate Act.

Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, advanced out of the Senate on June 4 by a 45-13 vote, to be sent back to the House of Commons with no movement on providing protection for religious speech.

An amendment to stop the expungement of the good-faith religious text defence from Canada’s hate speech laws was voted down 4-3 (one abstention) by the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights on June 1 during clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act.

The Canadian Catholic community finally had its voice heard May 28 during the fourth and final Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights meeting on Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act.

Catholic entities have not had a seat at the table for any of the first three Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights meetings devoted to studying Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act.

Based on commentary from Canadian Senators of varying ideological stripes, a robust upper chamber study of the contentious Combatting Hate Act is apparently forthcoming.

Bill C-9’s journey in the Canadian Senate began with the second reading debate session on April 14.

Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, advanced to the Senate. The House of Commons adopted it with a 186-137 vote at third reading.

By a majority 5-4 vote, Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, proceeded out of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on March 11 and was reported back to the House of Commons.