Bill C-9: Combatting Hate Act Becomes Law

Since the Hamas-led terrorist attacks of October 7, Canada has experienced the most severe wave of antisemitism in generations. The escalation of violence, intimidation, and attacks targeting the Jewish community is unprecedented. Bill C-9, The Combatting Hate Act, passed by into law on June 17, 2026, strengthens tools for law enforcement and prosecutors to protect targeted communities and hold criminals accountable by updating parts of the criminal code. The Government of Canada introduced the Bill, to respond to the surge in hate-motivated acts and violence. This legislation has cross community support from Jewish organizations, legal experts and law enforcement.

1. New intimidation and obstruction offences to protect access to places of worship and community institutions, including schools, community centres and synagogues.

What this means: it is now a criminal offence to intimidate or obstruct access to Jewish community institutions, that have been repeatedly targeted by hateful protests.

2. A new stand-alone hate crime offence ensuring stronger penalties when crimes are motivated by hatred.

What this means: this will reduce the likelihood that an accused person would be released on bail, increase the likelihood of stronger sentences, particularly for repeat offenders, and immediately appear on an individual’s criminal record when searched through the national police database.

3. A new offence targeting the wilful promotion of hatred through public display of terror symbols.

What this means: the display of hate and terror symbols, including the Nazi swastika, often displayed at hateful protests, are now criminal offences that will help prevent the spread of terrorist ideologies that radicalize and endanger Canadians.

4. An amended definition of hate aligned with the jurisprudence from the Supreme Court and respectful of free speech.

What this means: ensures clarity and consistency with established jurisprudence, while protecting free speech and preventing the risk of abuse and overreach.

Religious freedom remains protected under the Charter and the definition of criminal hate promotion currently has a very high threshold. In Bill C-9, Parliamentarians added clarifying language, at CIJA’s request, confirming that removing the good faith religious exemption defence for certain offences would not imperil freedom of religion or expression, which remain protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 

In this article, Joseph Neuberger, a leading criminal lawyer, makes it clear that the Bill “does not regulate belief, worship, sermons or religious teaching. It does not criminalize disagreement or political debate.”

Now that the Combatting Hate Act is law, it should serve as a catalyst for stronger enforcement of both new and existing laws. Too often, extremists have acted with impunity, or charges have been dropped after arrests are made.

1. The federal government should urgently convene provincial and territorial attorneys general, together with law enforcement agencies, to establish a consistent national approach to enforcement, prosecution, and sentencing so that those who break the law are held accountable.
2. It is also imperative for the government to create a new offence of wilful promotion of terrorism. The many recent examples of public displays of support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hamas, Samidoun and other banned terrorist entities make it clear that Parliamentarians must strengthen Canada’s anti-terrorism laws as a matter of national security