Anti-hate bill stalled after Fraser’s office brokered deal without PMO approval: sources

The future of the federal government’s anti-hate Bill C-9 is unclear after Justice Minister Sean Fraser’s office brokered a deal with the Bloc Québécois without getting it approved by the Prime Minister’s Office, sources tell CBC News.

Bill C-9 proposes new Criminal Code offences, including one that would make it a crime to intentionally promote hatred against identifiable groups in public using certain hate- or terrorism-related symbols.

It would also make hate-motivated crimes a specific offence and crack down on wilfully intimidating and obstructing people outside places of worship.

But in a minority Parliament, the Liberals need support to pass the bill. It is set to go through clause-by-clause study in the justice committee, composed of Liberals, Conservatives and Bloc Québécois MPs.

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet told reporters last week that his party struck a deal with the Liberals to amend the Criminal Code to remove a religious exemption from Canada’s hate speech laws. The deal was first reported by the National Post.

Three sources speaking to CBC News say the bill is stalled because Justice Minister Sean Fraser’s office brokered the deal with the Bloc Québécois without getting buy-in from the Prime Minister’s Office. 

Sources say the agreement to amend the bill hit a snag because the prime minister has not approved it.

CBC News has agreed not to name the sources, who were not authorized to speak publicly about internal decision-making.

Fraser’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Blanchet said last week his party will not support the bill without the removal of the religious exemption, and the Conservatives oppose both the proposed amendment and the bill as written. 

Blanchet’s party has long sought to remove the religious exemption, saying religion could be used as a cover for promoting hate, such as homophobia and antisemitism.

In 2023, Blanchet introduced a private member's bill, C-367, seeking to amend the Criminal Code to eliminate the “good faith” religious exemption. 

A parliamentary source with knowledge of proceedings says there is an amendment on notice at the justice committee that includes similar language.

But news of the deal between the Liberals and the Bloc Québécois prompted religious groups, including Catholics and Muslims, to speak out, saying it could chill or even criminalize religious speech.