Demand Action When Parliament Returns
While Members of Parliament were on holiday break, threats against Canadians did not let up. Across the country, shoppers were harassed by extremists calling for violence; New Year’s Eve celebrations in Montreal were disrupted by protesters displaying images glorifying Hamas; and Winnipeg’s oldest synagogue was desecrated with vile Nazi symbols.
Words of condemnation are not enough. Only decisive action will safeguard Canadians.
What’s needed is for elected officials to provide clear direction to law enforcement to fully enforce existing laws and to urgently advance legislation that strengthens public safety. This includes Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, which would equip police and authorities with additional tools to confront hate and extremism.
Join us in calling on the Minister of Justice and opposition critics to strengthen Bill C-9 through targeted amendments—such as creating a new offence for the wilful promotion of terrorism—and to work together to advance this critical legislation.
More information
In September, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, to respond to the surge in hate-motivated acts and violence. It updates parts of the Criminal Code dealing with hate-motivated conduct, hate propaganda, and the public promotion of terror symbols.
Jewish organizations across our community welcomed the Bill’s intention to contribute to a safer society and supported its core tools to achieve that outcome:
- New intimidation and obstruction offences protecting people entering schools, places of worship, and community centres.
- A new standalone hate-crime offence to ensure meaningful accountability for offenders.
- Removal of a barrier requiring Attorney General consent to prosecute police-laid (not private) charges.
- A new hate propaganda offence on the display of hate.
We also recommended targeted amendments to strengthen the bill and encourage multi-party consensus – including the creation of a new offence of willful promotion of terrorism – because broad-based agreement would send a powerful message about the importance of protecting our community.
According to criminal lawyer Joseph Neuberger, its purpose is limited and clear: “To address conduct that causes serious harm, including the glorification of terrorist groups and extreme hatred directed at identifiable communities. It does not regulate belief, worship, sermons or religious teaching. It does not criminalize disagreement or political debate.”
This Action Alert was led in partnership with Alliance of Canadians Combatting Antisemitism, B’nai Brith Canada, Canadian Jewish Law Association, Canadian Women Against Antisemitism, and Friends of Simon Wiesenthal.