Faith
Canada Cuts Religious Defense in Hate Law
Faith Facts
- The “good faith religious belief defense” was removed from Canada’s hate speech law.
- The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) warned this change could harm religious freedom.
- The bill is set to return to Parliament for further debate before likely becoming law.
Christian leaders in Canada are expressing deep concern as a House of Commons committee decided to remove a key religious expression protection from hate crime legislation. They fear this change threatens the ability of believers to express faith-based convictions without fear of prosecution.
On December 9, the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights approved the amendment to eliminate the “good faith religious belief defense” from Section 319 (3) of the Criminal Code under Bill C-9, also called the Combatting Hate Act.
“There has been disturbing debate in the Justice Committee about the defense and whether biblical texts and other religions’ texts are hateful. This defense is an important protection for minority religious groups. We are very concerned that the defense could be removed.”
The EFC has pointed out that the committee’s decision follows heightened concerns regarding rising antisemitism, and was led by both the Bloc Québécois and Liberal parties. According to the committee recommendation, expressions of religious opinion would no longer be protected solely by good faith or argument grounded in religious belief.
The EFC noted that removing this protection was not originally included in Bill C-9. The Bloc Québécois had openly sought this change and announced an agreement with the Liberals to push it forward without input from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Christian advocates highlight that the elimination of this defense puts faith-based expression at legal risk. The EFC has taken an active role, meeting with committee members and providing written explanations about the vital importance of protecting faithful speech.
“Our communications to committee members and our written submission to the committee explained why this defense matters,” stated the EFC.
David Guretzki, EFC President, has directly urged the prime minister’s office to keep these protections in place.
This defense was one of four against charges of willfully promoting hatred and has rarely been used, always under strict judicial oversight. The EFC clarifies the defense does not shield people from criminal acts but specifically relates to debates over religious expression and accusations of antisemitism.
“This defense protects ‘good faith’ or honest belief,” stated the EFC. “It does not allow religious expression to be used as a Trojan horse to carry intended messages of hate.”
The EFC also raised concerns over other aspects of Bill C-9, such as the bill’s weaker definition of hatred and the removal of attorney general consent for hate crime prosecutions.
“The EFC’s brief also strongly recommended that the Committee reject any proposal to remove the good faith religious belief defense.”
Our faith and freedoms must be defended in law and in society. Christians are called to stand firm for the truth, praying for Canada’s leaders to uphold justice and protect religious liberty for all Canadians.