A political agreement between the governing Liberals and the Bloc Québécois to eliminate a long-standing religious exemption from Canada's hate-speech legislation has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with the Conservative Opposition condemning the move as a direct assault on fundamental freedoms.
The Core of the Controversial Deal
The deal, confirmed on Monday, December 1, 2025, centers on an amendment to Bill C-9. In exchange for the Bloc Québécois's support for the broader bill targeting hate and terror symbols, the Liberals agreed to remove a legal provision often called the "religious exemption." This exemption, currently in the Criminal Code, protects speech from being prosecuted as hate propaganda if it is expressed "in good faith" and is "based on a belief in a religious text."
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet defended the amendment, stating that speech inciting hatred is a criminal act regardless of whether it is cloaked in religion. The party has sought this change for years, citing a rise in hateful rhetoric, particularly since the onset of the latest Middle East conflict.
"Our amendment will require the government to act to counter such hate speech," said Bloc justice critic Rhéal Éloi Fortin, adding it would also contribute to greater religious neutrality of the state. The Bloc had previously pointed to inflammatory comments, such as those made by Montreal Imam Adil Charkaoui, as examples of speech that should not be shielded by the exemption.
Conservative Fury and Warnings
The Conservative reaction was swift and severe. Party Leader Pierre Poilievre took to social media to lambast the agreement, framing it as an attack on core Canadian values.
"Liberal-Bloc amendments to C-9 will criminalize sections of the Bible, Quran, Torah, and other sacred texts," Poilievre wrote. "Conservatives will oppose this latest Liberal assault on freedom of expression and religion."
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner echoed his sentiments, calling the change "an unprecedented assault on Canadian religious freedom" and urging members of all political stripes to oppose it. The criticism aligns with concerns previously voiced by free speech advocates and various Christian groups, who see the exemption's removal as a dangerous overreach.
Broader Implications and Political Trade-Offs
The agreement involves a significant political trade-off. As part of the deal, the Liberals are expected to abandon plans to eliminate the requirement for a provincial attorney general's approval before pursuing a hate-propaganda prosecution. This concession is likely to gain support from both the Bloc and the Conservatives, who favor maintaining provincial oversight.
The move has garnered support from several Jewish and LGBTQ advocacy organizations, which argue the exemption has been used to justify harmful rhetoric. Conversely, Quebec's Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette, a long-time proponent of removing the defence, celebrated the federal agreement.
The debate sets the stage for a fierce parliamentary battle, pitting concerns about protecting vulnerable communities from hate speech against staunch defences of religious liberty and free expression. The amendment's fate now hinges on the upcoming legislative process, where Conservative opposition will face off against the governing coalition's priorities.
