Canada’s Parliament has passed Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, repealing a long-standing religious texts defence and prompting warnings from faith leaders that Christians citing scripture on sexual morality could face prosecution.
On June 17, 2026, Canada’s House of Commons voted down a final Conservative motion to withdraw Bill C-9, clearing the Combatting Hate Act after the Senate added the noose as a banned hate symbol. The bill received royal assent on June 18, 2026.
The bill, introduced by Justice Minister Sean Fraser on September 19, 2025, amends the Criminal Code by creating new offences for wilful promotion of hatred through hate symbols, enhanced hate crime penalties, including potential life imprisonment for underlying offences motivated by hatred, and intimidation or obstruction at places of worship, schools and other sites used by identifiable groups.
