OPEN LETTER: Immediate Call for Rejection of Bill C-9 and the Criminal Code Amendment Eliminating the Good Faith Defence

Re: Bill C-9 (The Combatting Hate Act) and the repeal of Criminal Code s. 319(3)(b) Honourable Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament, As the Canadian MuslimCMP Public Affairs Council (CMPAC) and the Canadian Muslim Health Network (CMHN),we are formally expressing our deep concern regarding Bill C-9 and the government’s advancement of an amendment that […]

Read more

CMPAC Commentary on Bill C-9 Committee Deliberations

The Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council (CMPAC) calls on the Chair of the Justice Committee to rule any amendment creating a new “promotion of terrorist activity or terrorist groups” offence as out of order. The proposed amendment would introduce a separate and distinct Criminal Code regime for terrorism offences under Part II.1. Bill C-9’s mandate, […]

Read more

CMPAC Brief on the Proposed Amendment to Remove the “Good-Faith Religious Text” Defence in s.319 of the Criminal Code (Bill C-9 Amendment)

Friday, December 5, 2025 Executive Summary In this brief, CMPAC provides input on the proposed amendment to Bill C-9 that would repeal the “good-faith” religious-text defence under s.319(3)(b) of the Criminal Code. CMPAC represents diverse Muslim communities across Canada and conducts research on structural Islamophobia, and the protection of our civil liberties and our constitutional […]

Read more

CMPAC Secondary Analysis of Bill C‑9: Focused Issues for Faith‑Based Communities and Emerging Concerns from Committee Proceedings

This secondary analysis of Bill C-9: Combatting Hate Act builds on CMPAC’s initial submission to the House of Commons Justice Committee. It focuses on emerging issues identified during recent committee proceedings, with a particular emphasis on risks for faith-based communities. The analysis highlights two areas of immediate concern: the potential reinterpretation of the Criminal Code’s […]

Read more

CMPAC Analysis and Position on the Combatting Hate Act (Bill C-9)

The Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council (CMPAC) has conducted a review of Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, identifying significant concerns regarding its expansion of police powers, removal of Attorney General oversight, vague definitions of “hatred,” and potential impacts on freedom of expression. CMPAC’s analysis highlights the risks of politicized prosecutions, overcriminalization, and threats to […]

Read more