A Defining Moment for Religious Freedom in Canada

Religious freedom has long been a cornerstone of Canada’s identity and a key part of its global appeal. For generations, people from around the world have chosen to build their lives here in pursuit of the freedom to practice their faith openly and without fear.

In the late 19th century, Jewish families fled Europe and came to Canada seeking refuge from religious persecution. Between 1919 and 1939, many Ukrainians made the same journey, escaping both religious and political oppression. More recently, Iranian Christians have arrived in Canada in search of the same fundamental freedom. These stories are not isolated. They are part of a broader pattern that has helped shape Canada into the country it is today.

As a result, religious freedom is not just a principle we uphold; it is deeply woven into our national fabric.

Yet today, that freedom is increasingly under pressure. The Liberal government, under Prime Minister Carney, has introduced Bill C-9, the Combating Hate Act. While its title may sound reassuring, the reality is that the legislation risks doing more harm than good.

Bill C-9 strips away long-standing religious protections and opens the door for Canadians of faith to face criminal consequences simply for expressing beliefs rooted in their own sacred texts.

Until now, sections 319(3)(b) and 319(3.1)(b) of the Criminal Code have provided a clear safeguard: individuals could not be prosecuted for the willful promotion of hate if they were expressing, in good faith, an opinion on a religious subject or speaking from a sincerely held belief grounded in scripture.

These weren’t loopholes, they were deliberate protections. In fact, even the Supreme Court has affirmed that such defences are essential to preserving the constitutionality of Canada’s hate speech laws, precisely because freedom of expression and freedom of religion are foundational rights.

Despite the clear legal and constitutional realities, the Liberals have chosen to press ahead and remove these protections. Rather than focusing on the real drivers of crime, like their failed, soft-on-crime, catch-and-release policies, they are doubling down on a path that risks silencing lawful, good-faith expression.

It’s no surprise Canadians have taken notice and are raising their voices in a way that is rarely seen.

From coast to coast, people of all faiths have spoken out—writing, calling, and showing up in remarkable numbers. The offices of MPs have been flooded with concerns about this bill. It’s been a powerful display of civic engagement from Canadians who simply want their fundamental freedoms respected.

And yet, those voices have been ignored.

With the support of the Liberals, the Bloc Québécois, and the NDP, Bill C-9 passed the House of Commons on Wednesday, March 25, and is now before the Senate.

But this is not the end of the process.

Many people have reached out to my office to ask what can be done. Now, the focus turns to the Senate, where Canadians still have a voice. The same energy we’ve seen across the country can and should be directed there.

Canadians have already made a significant impact. Conservative MPs brought their concerns directly to the floor of the House of Commons, holding the government to account and pushing for change. We were able to stop the Liberals from watering down the legal definition of hate, an amendment that would have created even more ambiguity and further chilled free expression.

That’s a meaningful win.

And it proves something important: when Canadians speak up, it makes a difference.

While many are understandably concerned, there is still reason for hope. This bill has not yet become law. We are still in a democracy, and the process is not over.

Now is the time to stay engaged.

Canadians can write, call, and reach out to Senators, particularly the Government Representative in the Senate, Pierre Moreau, to make their views known. He can be reached here: pierre.moreau@sen.parl.gc.ca . These messages don’t need to be long or complicated. A simple note, “Please stand up for religious freedom and reject Bill C-9,” is enough.

As former Prime Minister Stephen Harper once said: “There are no permanent governments in a democracy. That means that anything can be built upon. It means that anything can be undone. And it also means that eventually anything can be restored.”

That’s not just a quote, it’s a reminder. A reminder that in Canada, the voice of the people still matters.

When MPs Jump Ship, Canadians Lose

What makes a Member of Parliament cross the floor? Conflict, power, prestige, a new title, or perhaps significant international opportunities.

While factors like ambition certainly play a role, I believe we’re missing a fundamental piece of the puzzle.

When politicians cross the floor to join the government, they reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of their role. They lose sight of the vital function opposition plays in Canada and in any healthy democracy. The role of the opposition is not secondary. The Loyal Opposition provides essential accountability, advances alternative policy solutions, and gives voice to the many Canadians whose views must be represented and defended.

Those that choose to cross the floor abandon the principles and commitments that brought them to office in the first place. In doing so, they fail not only the community that elected them, but also the country and the democratic system they were entrusted to uphold.

The role of the Loyal Opposition is often overlooked. The concept traces back to the United Kingdom, where the term underscored an important principle: members of the opposition can vigorously challenge the government of the day while remaining loyal to the Crown and to the country’s democratic institutions. In Canada, the Loyal Opposition serves as a cornerstone of our parliamentary system.

As the Loyal Opposition, we comb through government actions to expose wasteful spending, misleading claims, ethical violations, and to propose alternative policies. This work is essential for transparency, accountability, and protecting Canadians’ interests.

A recent example of this came during debate on the Budget Implementation Act. This was a 638-page bill packed with sweeping changes to Canadian law. Buried deep within it was a deeply troubling clause that would have granted Liberal ministers powers more suited to a king than to a cabinet minister in a democracy. The provision would have allowed any minister to exempt individuals or corporations from virtually any federal law, with the sole exception of the Criminal Code. That is extraordinary authority granted with virtually no meaningful safeguards.

Conservatives sounded the alarm. We introduced an amendment to rein in these powers and restore proper democratic oversight. Fortunately, that amendment was adopted, ensuring the bill included the safeguards Canadians expect.

This is the role of the opposition in action. We scrutinize legislation. We identify dangerous flaws. We hold the government to account. And we put forward real solutions that strengthen the democratic guardrails Canadians rely on.

When the government fails to act, the Loyal Opposition steps forward with bold and innovative solutions. Canadians have been waiting for more than a decade for meaningful online harms legislation to protect children and vulnerable Canadians. One of my Conservative colleagues has introduced such legislation in the form of Bill C-216, the Promotion of Safety in the Digital Age Act. This legislation would establish a duty of care for online platforms and introduce real enforcement mechanisms to protect children and hold predators accountable.

The bill has garnered significant public support. Yet despite the urgency of this issue, parliamentary rules prevent Conservatives from bringing it forward for debate at this time. Still, there is nothing stopping the government from adopting its measures and introducing them as government legislation.

This is another clear example of how the Loyal Opposition serves Canadians. We identify problems the government ignores, we propose practical solutions, and we focus on delivering real protections for the people we serve.

Being a part of the opposition isn’t easy. Our efforts are often overlooked or dismissed by the government. We bring forward real solutions with the hope of making a difference, only to face rejection or inaction from the Liberals. But this doesn’t make our work any less important.

Despite these challenges, the work of the opposition is what keeps our democracy strong. It ensures that no government operates without scrutiny and that Canadians’ voices are represented even when the ruling party turns a blind eye. Every question asked in Parliament, every amendment proposed, and every report issued is a reminder that accountability matters, and that policies must serve the public, not just political interests.

This brings us back to floor crossers. When a Member of Parliament jumps ship to join the government, it’s more than a political move, it’s a step away from the very heartbeat of our democracy. They turn their back on holding power to account, scrutinizing laws, and defending the interests of their electorate.

Floor crossers overlook the role of the Loyal Opposition and, in doing so, miss the chance to truly stand up for Canadians and support a healthy, functioning democracy.

When Half an Hour Proves the Justice System Has Failed

Half an hour.

That’s how long it took for Skye Atoa, a high-risk sex offender, to violate his release conditions after walking out of custody in Lethbridge.

On January 13, Atoa was released on bail after being charged for human trafficking of minors and other sex-related offences. He had been arrested for forcibly confining a 14-year-old-girl, a 15-year-old-girl, and a 16-year-old-girl. He sexually assaulted the 14-year-old girl and forced her to consume drugs. He also exposed himself to the other two girls.

When the police arrived on the scene, the youngest girl was in medical distress and had to be taken to

the hospital.

He also faces charges for an unrelated sexual assault dating back to October 2025.

Despite these horrifying crimes, Atoa was released on bail shortly after being arrested. Only half an hour later, he was re-arrested for failing to comply with his bail requirements.

The news has shaken our city. It’s shocking and deplorable.

I’ve heard many concerns about this from people in our community and even across the country. Canadians are clear—they want bail reform.

The bail problem we now face is a direct result of a decade of Liberal catch-and-release policies. The Liberal government’s approach to bail has created a system where the rights of repeat offenders seemingly outweigh the safety of law-abiding Canadians.

Through Bill C-5 and Bill C-75, the Liberals weakened sentencing and made early release the default. Mandatory jail time for serious crimes was repealed, and judges are now required to release accused offenders at the earliest opportunity on the least onerous conditions, often sending repeat violent criminals back onto our streets to reoffend while awaiting trial.

Too many Canadians have been left vulnerable while violent repeat offenders remain free. Every day that passes under these flawed policies is another day that public safety is compromised.

Canadians deserve a justice system that protects law-abiding citizens first, not one that prioritizes procedural restraint at the expense of community safety.

Its instances like this that compel my Conservative colleagues and I to continue fighting for bail reform that ensures repeat or high-risk offenders are not released back into our communities, that victims are protected, and that law-abiding Canadians can feel safe in their homes and on our streets.

Just last week, we had a win in Parliament. Conservative members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights successfully ended the Liberal filibuster on Bill C-9 that would endanger religious freedoms. Instead of prioritizing bail legislation, the Liberals focused on potentially criminalizing passages from religious texts. Thanks to Conservative initiatives and thousands of Canadians who voiced their concerns, the committee will now study Bill C-14, a bail and sentencing bill. This is a big win! It means we are closer to getting effective bail laws and safer streets.

With the committee now focused on Bill C-14, our goal is clear: this bill must truly fix the Liberals’ weak bail laws. My Conservative colleagues and I will push for amendments grounded in the principle of public safety, end the practice of releasing criminals at the earliest opportunity on the least restrictive conditions, and require detention for serious offences.

Unless these changes are made, serious and dangerous offenders will continue to be released onto our streets to pose a threat to our communities. We must enforce jail, not bail.

The phrase “jail not bail” might sound like a slogan, but it represents a common-sense principle that most Canadians instinctively understand. Those who repeatedly demonstrate they cannot follow the law while free should not enjoy freedom while awaiting trial. This isn’t about vengeance, it’s about protection for the most vulnerable.

Our communities deserve better than what the current system delivers. Victims deserve better than watching their attackers walk free. Police officers deserve better than arresting the same individuals repeatedly, knowing the system will release them within hours.

A man violating his bail requirements within thirty minutes of release is a clear signal that the system is failing. Canadians deserve better and it’s time our laws reflected that reality.

If you believe change is needed, I encourage you to send a brief, one-line email to Canada’s Justice Minister, Sean Fraser. Let him know you support tougher laws and stronger penalties for serious and repeat offenders.

You can email the minister at: mcu@justice.gc.ca