#c-9

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Hi-Point C-9

CCLA firmly believes that people are entitled to live safely in their communities. However, federal Bill C-9 proposes a significant and worrying expansion of Canada’s criminal law. If passed, it would create new offences that make it easier to restrict peaceful protest and protected expression near community, cultural, and religious spaces. These measures are framed as necessary for public safety, even though existing laws — including laws against mischief, intimidation, threats, and harassment — already give police the tools they need to protect people.

This bill risks suppressing constitutionally protected speech and peaceful protests. The new intimidation offence is so broad and vague that it could even prevent workers and members of marginalized communities from protesting outside their own institutions. Additional provisions targeting the display of certain terrorism or hate symbols lack clear safeguards. They could inadvertently criminalize peaceful protesters.

CCLA, after rallying more than 40 other civil society organizations, has urged Parliament to reconsider Bill C-9. We have pointed out that the bill’s adoption could lead to inconsistent enforcement, disproportionately affect marginalized groups, and undermine people’s ability to advocate for their vision of a better world peacefully.

Bill C-9 is now under review by the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. CCLA is working with our partners to ensure legislators understand these critical risks before the bill advances. Those most affected and who have the most to lose are often shut out of these processes. That is why organizations like CCLA need to exist: so that the people of Canada are not silenced by problematic legislation like this.