Bill C-9, the
Combatting Hate Act, is now in the Senate. What’s different about the Senate and how can we engage?
Just to recap, the Jewish community has been asking for changes to criminal law in the face of an alarming rise in antisemitism. Bill C-9 defines hatred and creates new criminal offences to protect access to religious and cultural sites and services.
While Bill C-9 was being reviewed by the House of Commons Justice Committee, a change was passed to remove the religious belief defence from the
Criminal Code. This defence is one of four defences to the wilful promotion of hatred. It is a defence that has been rarely used and never successfully, but it is an important protection for religious expression.
What process will the bill go through in the Senate?
The bill will go through the same
steps in the Senate as it did in the House of Commons.
First reading – the bill is introduced, but there is no debate or vote. Bill C-9 was introduced in the Senate on March 26.
Second reading – the principle or main idea of the bill is debated and voted on by senators. Bill C-9 is on a list of bills to be debated once the Senate returns from a break. The Senate meets again the week of April 13.
Committee stage – a Senate committee will study the bill, hearing from stakeholders, government officials and expert witnesses. The committee can suggest changes to the bill. Bill C-9 will likely be studied by the Senate committee on legal and constitutional affairs. Senators will debate and vote on the changes recommended by the committee.
Third reading – Senators will have a final debate on the bill and vote whether it should be passed or not. Any changes made in the Senate will have to go back to the House of Commons and be passed.
There is still opportunity to ask for changes to Bill C-9.
How to engage with Senators?
Senators are appointed, not elected like Members of Parliament. Senators are appointed from a province or territory. They don’t represent a riding like an MP. While hopes of re-election may motivate MPs to pay close attention to their constituents’ concerns, senators do not share that motivation.
Communications with senators may focus more on persuasion or providing information. Personal stories and concerns would be effective with both MPs and senators. The Senate is often referred to as a chamber of sober second thought. It is often less partisan in its deliberations.
Please join us in praying for the senators, as Scripture instructs us to pray for those in authority over us (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
Pray that they would take the time to carefully study the bill, especially removal of the religious belief defence. Pray that senators would work collaboratively to resolve the legitimate concerns raised by removal of the religious belief defence.
Please consider writing to members of the Senate.
You can write to the senators in your province or region. You can write to members of the
committee that will study the bill.
Senators are listed by name and province with contact information at
sencanada.ca/senators.
What can we communicate to Senators now?
- Let senators know that you are concerned about the removal of the religious belief defence.
- Ask senators to study thoroughly the implications of removing the religious belief defence and not rush through the process.
Watch for updates and resources at
www.TheEFC.ca/C9.