Culture Minister Pushes to Remove Religious Hate Speech Exemption

UPDATE: Canadian Culture Minister Marc Miller has just announced his support for the removal of a religious exemption from hate speech laws, igniting a heated debate on freedom of expression in Canada. Speaking to reporters on December 2, 2025, Miller stated, “I don’t think people should be using the Bible, the Qur’an, or the Torah to escape from committing a hate crime.”

This urgent push follows a report from the National Post indicating that the Bloc Quebecois has garnered the government’s backing for an amendment to eliminate this exemption in exchange for their support on the C-9 hate crime bill. This development marks a significant shift in the landscape of hate speech legislation in Canada, with implications for how religious texts are interpreted in legal contexts.

Miller, who recently rejoined cabinet, emphasized that these views represent his own perspective. “It remains to be seen what the government and the justice committee will do,” he added. Earlier, Justice Minister Sean Fraser indicated openness to discussing the removal of the exemption, inviting the committee to gather witness testimonies on the issue.

The current law allows for a religious defense against charges of hate speech, stating that individuals may avoid penalties if their statements are made “in good faith” regarding religious beliefs. Critics, including Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, are poised to oppose the amendment, labeling it an “assault on freedom of expression and religion.”

The House of Commons justice committee is currently engaged in a clause-by-clause review of the hate crime bill, but progress has been stalled by a Conservative filibuster. The committee resumed its work on Tuesday but did not reach the Bloc’s proposed amendment before adjourning.

Legal experts like Richard Moon, a professor emeritus at the University of Windsor, highlighted the lack of awareness surrounding the use of the religious exemption in actual cases. Moon noted that while the exemption exists, he is not aware of any instances where it has successfully led to an acquittal for hate speech charges.

“There is a widespread lack of understanding about what hate speech provisions in Canadian law actually do,” Moon stated, reinforcing the complexity of the issue. He explained that for speech to be classified as hate speech, it must be extreme, often involving statements that dehumanize or incite violence against a group.

As the debate heats up, Canadians are urged to consider the implications of these potential changes. Supporters of the amendment argue that it is crucial to ensure accountability for hate speech, regardless of its religious context. The outcome of this discussion could redefine the intersection of religion and law in Canada.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. The implications of these decisions are significant and could impact how hate speech is prosecuted moving forward.