Last Updated On 17 July 2026, 11:21 AM EDT (Toronto Time)
The Combatting Hate Act, officially known as Bill C-9, comes into force on July 18, 2026, exactly 30 days after receiving Royal Assent on June 18.
Canada is enforcing one of the most significant expansions of its criminal justice framework in decades.
This legislation creates entirely new criminal offences targeting hate-motivated conduct across the country.
It also introduces escalating prison sentences, criminalizes the public display of certain symbols when used to wilfully promote hatred, and protects access to places of worship and community spaces.
The law arrives during a year of sweeping federal legislative changes that have already reshaped bail rules, sentencing provisions, and public safety enforcement nationwide.
For every Canadian, permanent resident, temporary resident, and newcomer, the new law changes how hate-motivated conduct is investigated, charged, and punished under the Criminal Code.
Table of Contents
Why Canada Introduced the Combatting Hate Act
Police-reported hate crimes in Canada have more than doubled since 2018, rising by 169% to reach 4,882 incidents in 2024, according to Statistics Canada.
The sharpest increases have targeted religious communities, racial and ethnic minorities, and 2SLGBTQ+ Canadians in cities across every province.
In 2024 alone, 70% of religion-motivated hate crimes were directed at Jewish communities, while 17% targeted Muslim populations.
Hate crimes targeting race and ethnicity rose for the sixth consecutive year in 2024, climbing another 8% over 2023 levels.
Incidents near educational institutions were roughly eight times more likely to be hate-motivated compared to crimes in other locations during the 2022 to 2024 period.
The alarming surge in hate targeting Indian immigrants and other visible minority groups has further underscored the urgency of stronger legal protections.
Justice Minister Sean Fraser stated that Canadians should not feel afraid because of who they are, how they worship, or where they gather.
Four New Criminal Offences Under Bill C-9
The Combatting Hate Act amends the Criminal Code by creating four new criminal offences that did not previously exist as standalone charges in Canadian law.
Until now, hate motivation was primarily treated as an aggravating factor during sentencing rather than as an element of the offence itself.
The new framework gives police and Crown prosecutors distinct charging tools to pursue hate-motivated conduct as a primary criminal offence.
These changes align with the broader criminal justice reforms already underway through new bail and sentencing laws that took effect on July 15, 2026.
1. Standalone Hate Crime Offence
The Act creates a standalone hate crime offence that applies when any federal criminal offence is motivated by hatred based on protected characteristics.
Protected characteristics under this provision include race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression.
This means that any existing Criminal Code offence can now be charged as a hate crime with significantly higher maximum penalties if prosecutors can prove hatred was the motivating factor.
The law codifies the legal definition of hatred as an emotion of an intense and extreme nature that is clearly associated with vilification and detestation.
Conduct that merely discredits, humiliates, hurts, or offends does not meet this threshold under the new statutory definition.
2. Intimidation at Protected Places
A new intimidation offence makes it a crime to engage in conduct intended to make someone afraid in order to prevent them from accessing protected places.
Protected places include buildings primarily used for religious worship, schools, community centres, cemeteries, and cultural institutions used by identifiable groups.
This offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment on indictment or two years less a day on summary conviction.
The provision was driven partly by incidents where immigrants were targeted across multiple provinces and where places of worship were vandalized or struck by gunfire.
3. Obstruction of Access to Protected Places
A separate obstruction offence makes it a crime to intentionally block or interfere with someone’s lawful access to the same categories of protected places.
This includes deliberately blocking doors, driveways, roads, or entrances used to reach religious or cultural centres.
The obstruction offence also carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment on indictment or two years less a day for less serious proceedings.
A statutory exception protects people who are at or near protected places solely for the purpose of obtaining or communicating information.
4. Public Display of Hate and Terrorism Symbols
The Act creates a fifth hate propaganda offence for the wilful promotion of hatred by publicly displaying certain terrorism and hate symbols.
Prohibited symbols include those principally used by or associated with listed terrorist entities under the Criminal Code, the Nazi Hakenkreuz, and the SS lightning bolts.
During the Senate review, the noose was added to the list of prohibited symbols due to its documented association with anti-Black lynching.
This offence carries a maximum penalty of up to two years imprisonment.
Exceptions exist for legitimate displays related to journalism, education, or art that are not contrary to the public interest, as well as good-faith displays intended to identify hateful material for removal.
Escalating Penalty Structure for Hate-Motivated Crimes
One of the most consequential features of Bill C-9 is its escalating penalty structure that increases maximum sentences based on the seriousness of the underlying offence.
The following table summarizes how penalties increase when a criminal offence is proven to be motivated by hatred under the new Criminal Code amendments.
| Underlying Offence Maximum | New Hate Crime Maximum (Indictment) | Summary Conviction |
| 2 to less than 5 years | Up to 5 years | 2 years less a day |
| 5 to less than 10 years | Up to 10 years | 2 years less a day |
| 10 to less than 14 years | Up to 14 years | 2 years less a day |
| 14 years or more / life | Up to life imprisonment | 2 years less a day |
For example, uttering threats currently carries a maximum of five years on indictment under the existing Criminal Code provisions.
If prosecuted under the new hate crime offence, the same conduct would carry a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment on indictment.
At the most severe end, offences carrying 14 years or more can now result in life imprisonment if the court finds they were motivated by hatred.
Removal of the Good Faith Religious Opinion Defence
Bill C-9 repeals section 319(3)(b) of the Criminal Code, which previously provided a specific defence for hate propaganda charges based on good faith religious expression.
This defence was enacted before the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms came into force in 1982 and was considered outdated by the government.
The government maintains that repealing this defence does not criminalize religious teaching, preaching, scripture reading, or practicing religion in good faith.
Freedom of expression and freedom of religion remain protected under the Charter, and hate propaganda offences still require proof of wilful intent to promote hatred.
The legislation also adds a new interpretive clause stating that nothing in the hate propaganda provisions prohibits statements made on matters of public interest, including educational, religious, political, or scientific statements during discussions, publications, or debates.
However, faith leaders, conservative politicians, and civil liberties organizations have expressed concern that removing this defence could expose religious communities to prosecution risk.
The Canadian Constitution Foundation has warned that the repeal eliminates a safeguard that protected sincere religious expression from criminal prosecution for decades.
Attorney General Consent Remains Required for Hate Propaganda Charges
The final version of Bill C-9 retains the requirement for Attorney General consent before proceedings can be initiated for wilful promotion of hatred, wilful promotion of antisemitism, or the new offence involving the public display of hate and terrorism symbols.
The new standalone hate crime, intimidation, and obstruction offences do not contain the same Attorney General consent requirement.
This means the consent requirement continues to apply to hate propaganda prosecutions, while police and prosecutors can use the other new offences through the regular criminal justice process.
What the Combatting Hate Act Does Not Do
The Act is designed with specific limitations to protect lawful expression and peaceful assembly under the Charter.
The law does not prohibit peaceful protest near religious or community spaces as long as the protest does not involve criminal intimidation or obstruction.
It does not criminalize statements that merely discredit, humiliate, hurt, or offend without rising to the legal threshold of wilful promotion of hatred.
The intimidation and obstruction offences do not apply to individuals who are simply communicating information or peacefully exercising their rights near protected places.
Religious sermons, scriptural readings, and theological teachings communicated without intent to promote hatred remain protected activities.
This distinction is particularly important given Canada’s broader commitment to protecting Charter rights even while strengthening public safety enforcement.
How This Law Affects Immigrants and Temporary Residents
Criminal inadmissibility is one of the top reasons for immigration refusal in Canada, and the Combatting Hate Act significantly raises the stakes.
A hate crime conviction under the new standalone offence could result in removal proceedings, deportation, or refusal of future immigration applications.
Permanent residents convicted of a hate crime offence carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years or more become inadmissible under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Temporary residents, including work permit holders, international students, and visitor visa holders, face even stricter consequences because a single criminal conviction can trigger removal.
This law joins the broader set of immigration changes coming in July 2026 that collectively tighten the intersection between criminal law and immigration status in Canada.
Immigration applicants may be required to provide police certificates, while criminal charges or convictions can also be considered during separate admissibility and background checks.
Concerns and Criticism Surrounding Bill C-9
A coalition of more than 60 Canadian rights groups criticized the legislation for its potential to create a chilling effect on peaceful assembly and free expression.
The groups raised specific concerns about the vagueness of the prohibition on symbols that closely resemble those associated with listed terrorist entities.
The NDP criticized the bill for failing to address white nationalist movements specifically, arguing that prevention and education are more effective than increased sentences.
Conservative MPs and petitioners have argued that the law threatens freedom of expression and religion and could be used against passages from the Bible, Quran, Torah, and other sacred texts.
The Canadian Constitution Foundation has questioned whether a new hate crime offence is necessary given that judges can already impose tougher sentences when hate is a motivating factor.
Hindu and Buddhist communities have noted that the Nazi Hakenkreuz ban could be confused with the ancient Sanskrit swastika, a symbol of prosperity displayed on homes and temples worldwide.
Despite these concerns, the government maintains that the legislation is a measured and constitutional response to historically high levels of hate crime across Canada.
The remigration rally in Calgary and similar public demonstrations in 2025 highlighted the growing friction between anti-immigration sentiment and the Charter protections the new law seeks to reinforce.
These debates reflect the same tensions visible in other recent Canadian policy changes where safety enforcement and individual rights must be carefully balanced.
Bill C-9 Legislative Timeline
| Date | Milestone |
| September 19, 2025 | Bill C-9 introduced by Justice Minister Sean Fraser |
| December 9, 2025 | Justice Committee votes to repeal religious defence |
| March 23, 2026 | Report stage concurrence in the House of Commons |
| March 25, 2026 | Third reading passed by the House of Commons |
| June 4, 2026 | Senate passes bill 45 to 13, adds noose to banned symbols |
| June 17, 2026 | House of Commons approves Senate amendment in final vote |
| June 18, 2026 | Royal Assent granted by the Governor General |
| July 18, 2026 | All provisions come into force across Canada |
The legislative journey took 10 months from introduction to Royal Assent, including a lengthy Conservative filibuster at the Justice Committee stage.
Bill C-9 is the fourth criminal justice bill introduced since fall 2025, alongside the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, the Protecting Victims Act, and the Lawful Access Act.
Protected Characteristics Under the New Hate Crime Offence
The standalone hate crime offence applies when any federal criminal offence is proven to be motivated by hatred based on the following characteristics as defined in the amended Criminal Code provisions.
| Protected Characteristic | Protected Characteristic |
| Race | Sexual orientation |
| National or ethnic origin | Gender identity or expression |
| Language | Age |
| Colour | Mental or physical disability |
| Religion | Sex |
What Canadians and Newcomers Should Know Going Forward
The Combatting Hate Act applies equally to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents from the moment it comes into force on July 18, 2026.
Anyone charged with a criminal offence that prosecutors believe was motivated by hatred can face the elevated penalties under the new framework.
The new standalone hate crime, intimidation, and obstruction offences provide additional charging tools, while Attorney General consent remains required for hate propaganda proceedings.
Communities that have experienced rising hate incidents near places of worship, schools, and cultural centres now have specific Criminal Code protections for the first time.
The Combatting Hate Act represents the most significant expansion of Canada’s hate crime framework in over three decades of Criminal Code development.
It transforms hate-motivated conduct from a sentencing consideration into a primary criminal charge with its own escalating penalty structure.
Whether these stronger legal tools will translate into measurable reductions in hate crime remains an open question that depends on enforcement, prosecutorial resources, and court capacity across every province and territory.
The broader pattern of federal legislative reform in 2026 signals a government that is willing to use Criminal Code amendments aggressively to address public safety concerns.
For communities targeted by hate, the law offers new protections and clearer paths to accountability that did not exist before July 18, 2026.
For all residents of Canada, it reinforces the principle that hatred expressed through criminal conduct will be met with consequences proportional to the harm it causes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can displaying a swastika for religious purposes lead to criminal charges under Bill C-9?
The offence specifically targets the Nazi Hakenkreuz and requires proof that the symbol was publicly displayed to wilfully promote hatred against an identifiable group. The mere display of an ancient Hindu, Buddhist, or Jain swastika for a genuine religious purpose is not automatically a criminal offence. Legitimate displays related to journalism, education, or art are also protected when they are not contrary to the public interest.
Will the new hate crime law apply retroactively to incidents that occurred before July 18, 2026?
No, Criminal law in Canada does not apply retroactively under Section 11(g) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which protects individuals from being punished for offences that were not criminal at the time they occurred. Only conduct that takes place on or after July 18, 2026, can be charged under the new provisions.
How does a hate crime conviction under Bill C-9 affect a pending Express Entry application or provincial nomination?
A conviction in Canada for an offence punishable by a maximum prison term of at least 10 years, or for which a prison sentence of more than six months is imposed, can result in serious criminal inadmissibility under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. This could lead to refusal of a pending permanent residence application. Permanent residents could face inadmissibility and removal proceedings rather than permanent residence revocation proceedings.
Can peaceful protests near mosques, synagogues, or churches still take place legally after July 18?
Yes, the law explicitly states that it does not prohibit peaceful protest, assembly, or the right to voice concerns in a safe and peaceful manner near protected places. The intimidation and obstruction offences target criminal behaviour such as threats, violence, or deliberately blocking access, not lawful demonstration or information sharing.
What should someone do if they witness a hate crime at a place of worship or community centre after July 18?
Witnesses should contact local police immediately to report the incident. Police can investigate suspected hate crimes and determine which Criminal Code provisions may apply. Attorney General consent remains required before hate propaganda proceedings can be instituted, including proceedings involving the new symbol-display offence.
Fact-Checked: All information in this article has been verified against official Government of Canada sources, including the Department of Justice announcement dated June 19, 2026, the Combatting Hate Act backgrounder, the Charter Statement for Bill C-9, Statistics Canada hate crime data for 2024, and the Royal Assent text of Bill C-9 as of July 17, 2026.
Disclaimer: Individuals facing criminal charges or seeking advice about the new hate crime provisions should consult a criminal defence lawyer. Those concerned about immigration consequences should also consult an RCIC or immigration lawyer.
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