Bill C-9

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.

In a 186-144 vote, the House of Commons today closed debate on the controversial Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, opening the door to remove the good faith religious speech protections in the Criminal Code.