Canada (MNN) — Canada continues to debate tighter hate laws as Bill C-9 moves through Parliament. While the bill is designed to protect religious groups, parts of its language could be misused.
The proposed legislation would expand Criminal Code offences connected to “hate-motivated” intimidation and interference with access to houses of worship.
Floyd Brobbel with Voice of the Martyrs Canada says there are positive elements in the proposal. “There are a lot of good things in the bill, where it’s combating hate: it’s looking at things that will willfully promote hatred,” he says.
He adds the bill could target actions such as displaying terrorist symbols, intimidating people to prevent access to religious sites, and intentionally obstructing someone from entering places of worship or other locations.
However, many religious groups share a key concern: how the bill defines hatred.
Brobbel says: “Bill C-9 is proposing a looser definition than the bar set by the courts.”
(Image by Steve Haselden from Pixabay)
Current case law protects freedom of speech, even if some find it offensive. Yet, the new wording could let subjective reactions shape how hate is defined. Brobbel also says the bill removes a key “good faith” clause that previously protected religious expression (read more here).
“With the redefining of hatred and removal of this clause, certain aspects of our faith could be determined as hatred,” Brobbel adds.
Earlier this week, Canada’s House of Commons limited debate on Bill C-9 and sent it to committee. It will later return for a final vote before Senate review and could be adopted as soon as this month.
Still, the bill could change before becoming law.
“We continue to pray that people that are forming this bill will do so wisely,” says Brobbel.
How you can pray:
- Pray that those working on the bill will create a clearer definition that leaves less room for misuse.
- Pray that Christians will remain alert and engaged as laws are debated and changed in the country.
- Pray that many Canadians and foreigners living in Canada will have open hearts to the Gospel.
“We need to be prayerful in how we engage the next generation and people outside the church, and be willing and ready to face whatever opposition comes our way,” Brobbel urges.
Visit Voice of the Martyrs Canada to learn more about the work they do.
Header photo: Canadian flag (photo courtesy of Chris Robert via Unsplash).
