Petition Warns Canada’s Hate Speech Law Could Criminalize Scripture
Thousands of Canadians have signed a petition urging the Liberal government to drop proposed hate-speech changes that critics warn could criminalize quoting the Bible and other religious texts.
OTTAWA, ONTARIO — Thousands of Canadians are calling on the Liberal government to abandon proposed changes to federal hate-speech laws that critics say could criminalize the quoting of Scripture.
More than 5,000 people have signed a petition launched by the Campaign Life Coalition opposing Bill C-9, the proposed “Combatting Hate Act,” and recent amendments that would remove long-standing exemptions for religious speech. Petitioners say they were alarmed by reports that the Liberals agreed to drop protections for faith-based expression as part of a political deal with the Bloc Québécois.
“The Bible is not hate speech,” the petition states, warning that biblical teaching must not be treated as a criminal offense. Opponents argue Bill C-9 would give excessive power to police and courts to regulate speech based on subjective interpretations of harm.
Legal experts and campaigners contend the proposed changes threaten constitutional freedoms and could expose Canadians to prosecution for quoting religious texts on moral issues. Bill C-9 remains under parliamentary review, with debate expected to resume after Christmas.
Previously, UOJ reported that a Canadian MP had called for a ban on "hateful" Biblical verses.
