Bill C-9

Bill C-9 presents uncertain terrain for religious Canadians

Quinton Amundson · June 25, 2026

Catholic Civil Rights League (CCRL) President and General Counsel Phil Horgan has a warning to impart as Canada enters a new, uncertain landscape on July 18, the date when Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, comes into force.

Parliament passes Bill C-9 into law

Quinton Amundson · June 18, 2026

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.

Editorial

If it ain’t broke...

June 6, 2026

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.

Religious speech protection in Bill C-9 fails to pass Senate

Combatting Hate Act now back in the hands of MPs

Quinton Amundson · June 4, 2026

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.

Senate committee derails religious speech defence in Bill C-9

Quinton Amundson · June 2, 2026

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.

Catholic voice finally heard in Senate hearings on Bill C-9

Quinton Amundson · June 1, 2026

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 voice missing in Bill C-9 debate

Quinton Amundson · May 26, 2026

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.

Bill C-9 faces scrutiny in the Senate

Quinton Amundson · May 1, 2026

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 gets second reading in Senate

Upper Chamber debate on combatting hate law underway

Quinton Amundson · April 14, 2026

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

Bill C-9 advances to Senate

Quinton Amundson · March 25, 2026

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.