National

Liberal minister backs Bloc call to eliminate religious exemption for hate speech

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Dec, 2025 11:06 AM

Culture Minister Marc Miller is expressing support for the removal of a religious exemption for hate speech in the Criminal Code.

Miller, who chaired the justice committee until he rejoined cabinet Monday, says he doesn’t believe people should be using religion to escape from prosecution for a hate crime.

The Bloc Québécois said in a press release Monday that the party had the government’s support for an amendment to get rid of the exemption.

The comments follow a report by the National Post saying the Liberals had reached a deal with the Bloc to remove the exemption in exchange for supporting the Liberals’ hate crime bill, C-9.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says his party will oppose the amendment, which he called an attack on freedom of expression and religion.

The House of Commons justice committee has started the clause-by-clause process to amend the bill, but that work stalled during the last committee meeting due to a Conservative filibuster.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Vancouver International Auto Show removes Tesla, citing safety concerns at event

The Vancouver International Auto Show says it has removed Tesla from participating in this week's event over safety concerns. Executive Director Eric Nicholl says the show asked the electric carmaker to withdraw because of a "primary concern" for the safety of workers, attendees and exhibitors.

Vancouver International Auto Show removes Tesla, citing safety concerns at event

North Vancouver RCMP arrest a man who claimed to be a police officer

Mounties in North Vancouver say they've arrested a man for impersonating an officer and they believe there may be more than one victim. Police have released a photo of a dark grey Ford F-150 that they say was seized when the driver was arrested earlier this month, and they're asking if anyone else was pulled over by the truck.

North Vancouver RCMP arrest a man who claimed to be a police officer

B.C. doles out grant funding to bolster food manufacturing sector

Jobs Minister Diana Gibson says money from the province's manufacturing jobs fund will go to seven B.C. companies, including $2 million to Kelowna-based Farming Karma Fruit Co. for a new processing facility and equipment.

B.C. doles out grant funding to bolster food manufacturing sector

Mountain biking groups 'stretched thin' with trail work as popularity grows

The outdoors were a refuge for many during the pandemic as people hit their local trail networks to mountain bike, hike, run and walk, but advocates in British Columbia say the value of trails isn't reflected in the level of support they receive. Deanne Cote, executive director of the North Shore Mountain Bike Association, said no one could have anticipated the surge in people using the local trails.

Mountain biking groups 'stretched thin' with trail work as popularity grows

Conservatives say there will be no media seats on Poilievre's election campaign

The Conservative party is breaking from tradition and will not be allowing media onboard planes and buses for Pierre Poilievre's election campaign. In an email Tuesday, national campaign director Jenni Byrne says costs for travel have "risen considerably," as has the capacity for digital and remote access to public events.

Conservatives say there will be no media seats on Poilievre's election campaign

Liberals lagging well behind other parties on nominating candidates as election looms

With a federal election call expected any day now, the Liberal party is trailing well behind its rivals on nominating candidates. The Conservatives have nominated 275 candidates out of 343 ridings, the NDP has 217 candidates and the Green Party has 208 — but the Liberal party has so far nominated just 185 candidates.