Maxime Bernier, Lead of the People’s Party of Canada
In the coming days, the Canadian Parliament may pass Bill C-9, the so-called “Act to Combat Hate,” into law.
This bill is a direct attack on your freedom of speech and your religious liberty.
Here is the truth about Bill C-9.
Even after public pressure forced the government to back down on some provisions, Bill C-9 still removes longstanding protections for religious expression and expands Ottawa’s power over speech.
Indeed, it would make it illegal to express emotions of hatred, defined as “emotions that involve detestation or vilification and that is stronger than dislike.”
Under the new definition, speech could be suppressed not based on what you explicitly advocate, but based on the “feelings” it supposedly generates in someone else.
If a person claims to feel a certain way about your religious belief, your moral argument, or your political opinion, you could be sued by the government.
This is not about protecting vulnerable communities, we all agree that genuine threats and violence are already illegal under the Criminal Code.
More alarming, they are removing the longstanding protection for sincerely held religious beliefs in our legislation.
For generations, Canadians who cited religious texts or expressed theological beliefs were protected from prosecution under “willfully promoting hate” laws.
Bill C-9 removes that shield.
Now, combine these two changes: a lower threshold for what constitutes “hate” and the removal of religious protections.
Do you see the danger?
If this bill passes, a priest, pastor or any Canadian who expresses a religious view that offends the sensibilities of the day, could attract the attention of overzealous prosecutors.
A free society needs to have the freedom to criticize religion itself. Once we start letting the bureaucrats draw arbitrary lines about what can and cannot be said, we all lose.
But we can still fight back, if we act NOW. And you can sign our petition and email your MP to tell Parliament:
•Reject Bill C-9.
•Do not criminalize free speech.
•Do not erase religious freedom.
Members of Parliament need to hear from you directly before they cast their vote.
Sign our petition and email your MP here 👇
