OTTAWA — The Liberals proposed to add “clarifying language” to their contentious bill targeting hate and terror symbols Monday that they say will protect religious speech from being deemed promotion of hate. Bill C-9, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government’s first major justice bill, proposes to create a new offence for intimidating someone to the point of blocking their access to a place of worship or another centre used by an identifiable group. The Liberals agreed to a Bloc proposal to amend C-9 to remove what is commonly referred to as the “religious exemption” to some hate speech laws. It was not clear if Conservatives would agree to finish the study of C-9 if the Liberals consented to their change to the clarifying language. Supporters of the religious exemption have argued that removing it could stifle Canadians’ freedom of speech and right to practise their faith.

Source: National Post February 23, 2026 21:51 UTC