News Analysis
The Liberal government appeared to have found a way early this week to pass its controversial hate crime bill by reportedly agreeing to Bloc Québécois amendments to remove the religious defence to hate speech, but backlash was quick and came from multiple sides.
The government’s position now appears in limbo, with the cancellation of a Dec. 4 House of Commons justice committee meeting, where the amendments were supposed to be tabled. The committee is currently going clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-9, also known as the Combatting Hate Act.
“We fear that because representatives, or would-be representatives of some [religious] groups came to the committee and sat there, that the Liberals fear backlash against them within some communities and that because of that they have cancelled today’s meeting,” Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said on Dec. 4. “And we fear that they might do the same with next week’s two meetings.”…