Haldimand–Norfolk MP Leslyn Lewis is sounding the alarm over the federal government’s willingness to remove a longstanding religious exemption from Canada’s hate speech laws.
In a statement posted to social media, Lewis accused the Liberals of negotiating away religious freedom to secure Bloc Québécois support for Bill C-9.
She said the proposed change “comes at the direct expense of Christians and other religious communities,” calling it a “dangerous precedent” and a misuse of religious liberty as a political bargaining tool.
The issue arose after reports that the Liberals and Bloc had reached an agreement to remove the exemption, which currently protects individuals who express opinions based on religious texts in good faith.
Culture Minister Marc Miller said Tuesday he supports eliminating the exemption, arguing that religious texts should not serve as a shield for hate-motivated crimes.
Justice Minister Sean Fraser has also indicated he is open to the change, pending committee review, though Conservative members have blocked progress at the clause-by-clause stage.
Under Canadian law, hate speech must be extreme—such as portraying a group as subhuman or calling for violence—meaning most religiously based opinions, even discriminatory ones, would not meet the threshold.
The debate is expected to continue as the House of Commons justice committee resumes work reviewing Bill C-9 and any proposed amendments.
Lewis says she will oppose the change and is urging Canadians to do the same.