Canada’s House of Commons has passed a controversial bill that could criminalize the public reading or quoting of the Bible on issues of marriage, sexuality, and human life. Bill C-9, known as the “Combatting Hate Act,” was introduced by Liberal Justice Minister Sean Fraser and passed on March 25, 2026, in a 186–137 vote. The bill was supported by Liberal and Bloc Québécois MPs, while Conservatives, the NDP, and the Green Party voted against it in rare cross-party opposition.
The legislation removes a longstanding religious exemption from Canada’s hate speech laws, opening the door to potential criminal charges against Christians who publicly affirm biblical teachings on topics such as homosexuality and gender. Constitutional experts and faith leaders have condemned the bill for empowering police and courts to punish individuals based on subjective claims of “hateful” feelings rather than clear incitement to violence.
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops issued an open letter strongly opposing the removal of the religious exemption and calling on the Senate to reject the amendment. Campaign Life Coalition warned that the bill will almost certainly lead to increased persecution of Christians and pro-life advocates under the guise of combating hate. CLC Campaigns Manager David Cooke stated: “With the passage of Bill C-9 in the House, Christians and pro-life advocates will almost certainly face an entirely new level of hostility, as the door swings open to actual persecution under a cloak of supposed legality.”
The bill now moves to the Senate, where conservatives are urging senators to defeat it. CLC Director of Political Operations Jack Fonseca encouraged Canadians to contact senators and to pray and fast for the protection of religious freedom. This development marks a significant escalation in Canada’s ongoing erosion of religious liberty, as secular authorities increasingly treat the public expression of historic Christian beliefs as a punishable offense.
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