12/02/2025
An Unprecedented Attack on Religious Freedom
Today’s news is deeply alarming. Reports indicate the Liberal government agreed to remove long-standing religious exemptions from Canada’s hate-speech laws — a move that would put the rights of synagogues, gurdwaras, mosques, mandirs, and churches at risk.
Canada already has strong criminal laws to prosecute anyone who incites violence or promotes hatred. Sections 319(1) and 319(2) of the Criminal Code make it an offence to publicly incite or wilfully promote hatred, and section 319(7) makes clear that this includes gestures, signs, and symbols. The government does not need to erode fundamental freedoms to keep Canadians safe.
This is a reckless and unprecedented attack on freedom of religion and expression.
Canada’s Conservatives will fight tooth and nail to defend against this overreach and protect the Charter rights Canadians rely on. Our freedoms are not negotiable.
