The advocacy groups say the bill would eliminate a legal defense allowing those charged with hate speech to argue they were expressing a 'good faith' opinion based on a holy book. Andrew Lawton, a Conservative member of Parliament, believes the bill could give prosecutors the power to criminalize reading scripture in public. 'How do we somehow constitute this as being said in good faith? On December 10, the Liberals on the House justice committee enshrined the removal of the religious 'good faith' defense from Bill C-9. Section 319(3)(b) from Canada's criminal code, which would be eliminated if Bill C-9 passes.

Source: Daily Mail April 07, 2026 17:40 UTC