Protect reading of sacred texts
Petitioners ask the Liberal government to ensure amendments to Bill C-9 cannot criminalize reading or sharing passages of sacred texts. The government responds that the Charter protects freedom of religion and good‑faith religious expression.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would explicitly protect reading and sharing of sacred texts from criminal prosecution, reducing legal uncertainty for faith communities.
- It affirms freedom of religion and expression, addressing concerns about state interference in religious teachings.
- It could prevent a chilling effect that discourages worship, teaching, or distribution of religious materials.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- It might limit prosecutors’ ability to pursue extreme hate speech, weakening protections for groups targeted by dehumanizing or violent rhetoric.
- Government and courts already apply a high threshold to prove hate propaganda; the petition’s measures may be unnecessary or duplicative.
- Broad or imprecise protections for “sacred texts” could create legal ambiguity and unintentionally shield harmful speech framed as religious.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the House of Commons We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following: Whereas: Canadians are concerned that Liberal-Bloc amendments to Bill C-9 could be used to criminalize passages from the Bible, the Quran, the Torah, and other sacred texts; The state has no place in the religious texts or teachings of any faith community; Freedom of expression and freedom of religion are fundamental rights that must be preserved. Therefore, we, the undersigned, call on the Liberal Government of Canada to: Protect religious freedom, uphold the right to read and share sacred texts, and prevent government overreach into matters of faith.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Signed by The Parliamentary Secretary Patricia Lattanzio The Government of Canada’s commitment to freedom of religion is unwavering and freedom of religion is protected under section 2(a) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. All people in Canada should be able to pray, preach, teach, interpret scripture, and express religious belief in good faith, without fear of violence or other intimidating behaviour. Canada has faced a troubling rise in hate speech and hate crimes in recent years. To better protect all people in Canada, including how they worship, gather, and practice their faith in their daily lives, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, in the House of Commons on September 19, 2025. As part of Parliament’s work on this legislation, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights adopted an amendment proposal on December 9, 2025, referred to as the good faith religious opinion defence in the Criminal Code. This discussion has prompted important and healthy debate, reflecting the seriousness with which our democracy treats both freedom of religion and the need to combat hate. Importantly, a review of Canadian jurisprudence shows no reported case in which this defence has been relied upon to acquit someone accused of hate propaganda. Crucially, Canada’s hate propaganda laws already set a very high threshold. Prosecutors must prove an intent to promote hatred, as defined by the Supreme Court of Canada as extreme, dehumanizing expression that goes far beyond mere offence or disagreement. This ensures that only the most dangerous forms of hate such as speech that vilifies, dehumanizes, or incites harm, are captured by the Criminal Code. Religious sermons, teachings, and expressions made in good faith do not meet this standard and will always remain protected. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that good faith religious expression remains fully protected. A strong Canada protects every person’s right to worship freely, while ensuring that no one is targeted with acts of extreme hate that threaten public safety or social cohesion.