In Canada, religious beliefs to be excluded from hate speech laws
Canada's flag. Photo: imdvor
In December 2025, it became known that the Canadian government intends to remove religious exemptions from hate speech legislation, which until now has protected "sincerely held" religious beliefs from criminal prosecution, reports Premier Christian.
Legislation currently prohibits inciting “hatred against any identifiable group”, but exempts speech made in good faith which is grounded in the interpretation of a religious text. The Liberal government is thought to have agreed to drop the protection to secure support from the Bloc Québécois.
New laws targeting hate and terror symbols could also include an offence for blocking people from accessing their place of worship, according to the newspaper.
The authorities explain the amendments by the increase in hate crimes, especially the surge in anti-Semitism following the war between Israel and Hamas. The bill also introduces a ban on the public display of Nazi symbols.
The Christian Legal Fellowship (CLF) has urged parliamentarians to retain the religious exemption, reminding that it protects Canadians from imprisonment for religious beliefs and allows for open discussion of complex topics without government interference in matters of faith.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Canada debates infant euthanasia: critics warn of legalized infanticide.
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