C-9 The Latest, and What to Do!

The following was helpfully shared by Barry Bussey, a lawyer and friend of Free to Fly. He has more on his website First Freedoms.

What’s Happening?

Bill C-9, currently before Parliament, poses a direct threat to long-standing religious freedoms and freedom of expression in Canada. While presented as an “anti-hate” bill, C-9 and its proposed amendments would:

• Lower the legal threshold for what constitutes “hate,” making it easier to criminalize speech and religious expression.

• Remove the requirement for Attorney General consent before hate speech charges are laid, eliminating a crucial safeguard against political abuse.

• Eliminate the “good faith religious belief” defense—a constitutional protection that has shielded Canadians from prosecution for expressing or quoting religious texts in good faith.

If passed, pastors, faith leaders, and ordinary Canadians could face criminal charges simply for quoting scripture or expressing religious beliefs that the government deems “hateful.” This is not speculation—recent committee testimony and statements from government officials have explicitly referenced the possibility of prosecuting those who cite certain passages from the Bible, Torah, or other sacred texts.

Why Is This So Urgent?

• Religious freedom and freedom of expression are foundational to Canadian democracy. Bill C-9 would undermine these rights for all faith communities.

• The proposed changes are not just theoretical. Legal experts warn that removing the religious defense could collapse the constitutional basis for hate speech laws, opening the door to prosecutions for quoting scripture—even if the government claims that is not their intent.

• This is a critical moment. Parliament is moving quickly. The time to act is now—before these changes become law.

• PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE IS MEETING TONIGHT TO GO CLAUSE BY CLAUSE IN THE BILL

What Can You Do?

Contact your Member of Parliament TODAY and urge them to:

• Oppose Bill C-9 and any amendments that remove religious protections.

• Defend the constitutional rights of all Canadians to express their faith without fear of prosecution.

• Demand that existing laws be enforced rather than creating new, overbroad restrictions on speech.

How to Take Action:

1. Call your MP’s office. Phone calls have the greatest impact—just a few calls can make an issue a top priority.

2. Be respectful, clear, and concise. State that you oppose Bill C-9 and the removal of religious protections.

3. Encourage your friends, family, and faith community to do the same. Every voice counts.

Find your MP’s contact information at: https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en