What Is Happening?
Bill C-9 was introduced in September 2025 by the federal government as legislation designed to strengthen criminal law tools against hate-motivated conduct.
The bill proposes amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada that would create new criminal offences related to:
- intimidation aimed at preventing people from accessing religious or cultural spaces
- obstruction of access to those places
- hate-motivated crimes as a distinct criminal offence
- promoting hatred through the public display of certain hate or terrorist symbols
The legislation also proposes to codify a legal definition of “hatred” within the Criminal Code to clarify the threshold for hate-propaganda offences.
The bill passed second reading in the House of Commons in October 2025 and was referred to committee for further review and possible amendments.
Background
Canada already has several laws addressing hate speech and hate-motivated crimes.
Existing Criminal Code provisions prohibit:
- promoting genocide
- public incitement of hatred
- wilful promotion of hatred against identifiable groups.
However, federal officials say current laws do not always address conduct targeting religious or community spaces, or the use of symbols associated with hate movements.
Bill C-9 also follows earlier debates around the proposed Online Harms Act (Bill C-63), which included broader regulation of online hate speech. That bill stalled in Parliament, and some of its criminal-law elements were later incorporated into Bill C-9.
Key Provisions in Bill C-9
1. New intimidation offence
The bill would create a criminal offence for intimidating someone in order to prevent them from accessing certain places, including:
- places of worship
- schools
- community centres
- other facilities used primarily by identifiable groups.
The offence targets conduct intended to provoke fear and deter people from attending these spaces.
2. Obstruction of access to religious or cultural spaces
A separate offence would criminalize intentionally obstructing a person’s lawful access to such places.
This provision is intended to address incidents such as:
- blocking entrances
- physically preventing access
- coordinated harassment outside religious institutions.
3. Hate-motivated crime as a specific offence
Bill C-9 proposes creating a stand-alone hate crime offence when another crime is committed and is motivated by hatred against an identifiable group.
Currently, hate motivation can increase sentencing, but the bill would explicitly criminalize hate-motivated conduct.
4. Public display of hate symbols
The bill would also create an offence for wilfully promoting hatred against an identifiable group by displaying certain hate or terrorist symbols in public places.
However, the legislation specifies that legitimate uses of such symbols for educational, artistic, or journalistic purposes would not be criminalized.
5. Legal definition of “hatred”
Bill C-9 proposes adding a definition of hatred to the Criminal Code.
The definition is based on Supreme Court jurisprudence and refers to extreme expressions of detestation or vilification, beyond simple dislike or criticism.
The goal is to clarify the threshold required for criminal prosecution.
6. Removal of certain legal defences
One controversial element of the bill is the repeal of subsection 318(3) of the Criminal Code.
That provision currently allows a defence where a person expresses an opinion “in good faith” on a religious subject or based on a religious text.”
Removing this defence has raised concerns among some religious groups and civil liberties advocates who argue it could affect religious expression.
Timeline
2024
Debate over the Online Harms Act intensifies, but the bill stalls.
September 19, 2025
Bill C-9 was introduced in Parliament.
October 2025
Bill passes second reading and is referred to the committee.
Late 2025 – 2026
Committee hearings examine legal and constitutional implications.
March 2026
Bill remains under committee review.
What Could Happen Next
Several outcomes are possible as the bill moves through Parliament:
- Amendments during the committee stage to narrow or clarify certain provisions.
- House of Commons vote at third reading if the bill advances.
- Review by the Senate before becoming law.
- Possible Charter challenges if enacted and later tested in court.
