Brampton’s Mayor Patrick Brown is voicing strong opposition to a key provision in the federal government’s controversial “Combatting Hate Act,” arguing it could have unintended consequences for religious freedom and freedom of expression in one of Canada’s most diverse cities. The legislation, known as Bill C-9, recently passed its third reading in the House of Commons and is now approaching Royal Assent to become law.
While the bill introduces several measures aimed at curbing hate, including protections for places of worship, it is a specific amendment to the Criminal Code that has drawn criticism from Brampton’s city hall. At issue is the removal of a long-standing exemption that protects individuals from hate speech charges for statements made in "good faith" while expressing an opinion on a religious subject or interpreting a religious text.
In January, Brampton council voted unanimously to send an official letter to Ottawa objecting to this change. The letter argued that while the city supports effective measures against hate, any new laws must be carefully balanced to protect fundamental rights guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Council fears charter violations
The city’s official correspondence with the federal government, penned by Mayor Brown, emphasized the need for legal clarity and respect for constitutional principles. "Brampton residents strongly support effective action to combat hate-motivated violence and intimidation," the January letter stated. "At the same time, Canadians expect criminal law to remain clear, balanced, and consistent with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”
The Charter guarantees certain political, legal, and equality rights to all people in Canada, including the fundamental freedoms of conscience, religion, thought, belief, opinion, and expression. The concern from Brampton council is that without the "good-faith" defence, individuals discussing or quoting ancient religious texts could find themselves vulnerable to criminal investigation for hate speech, even if that was not their intent. This legal debate comes at a time when communities are on high alert. Data has shown a disturbing rise in bigotry, with a report highlighting that Peel hate crimes increased 181 per cent since 2016, making the conversation around how to effectively combat hate more urgent than ever. For instance, Pierre Poilievre urges Ottawa to scrap Toronto-Quebec high-speed rail project.
A divisive national debate
The debate over Bill C-9 extends far beyond Brampton, exposing a deep divide among advocacy groups and political parties. On one side, organizations like B’nai Brith Canada have voiced support for the bill, seeing it as a necessary tool to combat rising antisemitism and other forms of hate.
Conversely, the National Council of Canadian Muslims has expressed opposition, sharing concerns similar to Mayor Brown’s about the potential impact on religious expression and civil liberties. The legislation has created unusual alliances and highlighted the complexity of drafting laws that protect communities from hate without overreaching into constitutionally protected freedoms.
The federal Conservative Party has also mounted a protest against Bill C-9. During the third reading on March 25, several Conservative MPs stood in the House of Commons holding Bibles to signal their opposition to the removal of the religious expression exemption. The demonstration itself drew criticism from Liberal MPs, who accused the opposition of using props in the legislative chamber, a violation of parliamentary rules.
The full text of the bill and its proposed amendments to the Criminal Code are available on the Parliament of Canada's website.
Mayor Brown fears ‘chilling effect’ on faith groups
In a recent interview, Mayor Brown, who also serves on Peel Regional Council, expanded on his concerns, suggesting the bill could have a chilling effect on open religious discourse in a city celebrated for its multicultural and multi-faith identity.
If someone is citing a holy book that is written 2,000 years ago, some of the language and analogies are from a different time. I just think we need to be cautious that we don’t diminish religious freedom and freedom of expression.
The mayor’s comments underscore a worry that religious leaders and their congregations, whether Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, or Jewish, could feel the need to self-censor when discussing historical texts. As police in other parts of Ontario solve decades-old cases, this new legislation looks to the future, shaping how speech is regulated in the digital age.
Local action against hate continues
Despite its opposition to a part of Bill C-9, Brampton council has demonstrated it is not against taking action to protect its communities. In November 2024, the city passed its own bylaw to prohibit what it called “nuisance protests” near places of worship. This local initiative came after several incidents where protests caused disruptions and safety concerns for congregations.
Bill C-9 contains a similar provision, which will make it a criminal offence to obstruct or interfere with a person’s lawful access to a place of worship. This portion of the federal bill has been welcomed by the mayor and council, as it aligns with the proactive steps they have already taken at the municipal level.
Mayor Brown, who was recently praised the provincial budget for its investments in the city, has consistently positioned himself as an advocate for Brampton’s diverse communities. His political career includes serving as a Barrie city councillor, a federal Member of Parliament, and the leader of the Ontario PC Party before his election as Brampton’s mayor in 2018.
As Bill C-9 awaits Royal Assent, It remains to be seen whether the Senate will propose any amendments in response to the concerns raised by municipalities like Brampton and various national organizations. The mayor, for his part, remains hopeful for a revision. "I just think we need to be cautious," Brown said, reiterating his stance that protecting both community safety and fundamental freedoms is paramount.
