{"id":38844,"date":"2026-03-09T18:21:32","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T22:21:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/?p=38844"},"modified":"2026-03-17T12:02:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T16:02:15","slug":"bill-c-9-motion-to-end-ongoing-debates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2026\/03\/09\/bill-c-9-motion-to-end-ongoing-debates\/","title":{"rendered":"Bill C-9: Motion to End Ongoing Debates"},"content":{"rendered":"
This entry is part 3 of 5 in the series Bill C-9<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

UPDATE (March 17, 2026) \u2013 REPORT OF THE JUSTICE COMMITTEE ON BILL C-9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Justice Committee (Committee) tabled<\/a> its report<\/a> (Report) on the proposed changes to Bill C-9 in the House of Commons on March 13, 2026. While some amendments to Bill C-9 have been introduced to promote clarity, CCCC remains concerned about the removal of the good faith religious defence in section 319(3)(b) of the\u00a0Criminal Code<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Report includes other changes to Bill C-9, including clarification of the term \u201chatred<\/a>\u201d. The amended definition now describes \u201chatred\u201d as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201can emotion of an intense and extreme nature that is clearly associated with vilification and detestation.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Further changes have also been made to the term \u201chate propaganda\u201d, namely:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

11.1 (1) For greater certainty, nothing in subsection 319(2) or (2.2) of the Criminal Code<\/em> shall be construed as prohibiting a person from communicating a statement on a matter of public interest, including an educational, religious, political or scientific statement made in the course of a discussion, publication or debate, if they do not wilfully promote hatred against an identifiable group by communicating the statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(2) For greater certainty, nothing in subsection 319(2.1) of the Criminal Code<\/em> shall be construed as prohibiting a person from communicating a statement on a matter of public interest, including an educational, religious, political or scientific statement made in the course of a discussion, publication or debate, if they do not wilfully promote antisemitism by condoning, denying or downplaying the Holocaust.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

As we have previously noted, these amendments may still face criticism for being \u201ccircular<\/a>\u201d and for failing to provide clarity or certainty. Further debates on Bill C-9 in the House of Commons are scheduled for March 23, 2026. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our friends at EFC have developed a suite of resources<\/a> on Bill C-9, and are encouraging those concerned about the ongoing ambiguity in Bill C-9 to contact their local MP to advocate for \u201cstrong, clear language that protects religious expression<\/a>\u201d when debate resumes in the House of Commons next week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UPDATE (March 12, 2026) \u2013 JUSTICE COMMITTEE VOTE ON BILL C-9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On March 11, 2026, the Justice Committee (Committee) met to vote<\/a> on the final version of Bill C-9 before it proceeds<\/a> to the report stage in the House of Commons. Following the recent order<\/a> to eliminate ongoing debates on Bill C-9, the Chair of the Committee must report Bill C-9 back to the House of Commons by March 13, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A reprinted version of Bill C-9 will be released shortly, and CCCC will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. Of particular concern, the Committee voted to repeal the good faith religious defence in section 319(3)(b) of the Criminal Code<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This development is deeply troubling. CCCC has previously written<\/a> about the potential impact this change could have on Canadians’ constitutional rights. We encourage members to reach out to their local MPs about their concerns regarding Bill C-9 using the resources we have shared in our previous blogs.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

UPDATE (March 11, 2026) \u2013 VOTE TO END DEBATE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On March 10, 2026, Members of Parliament voted in favour of ending ongoing debates on Bill C-9<\/a>. The vote directed the Justice Committee (Committee) to conclude debate and proceed with the expedited consideration of Bill C-9 following the recent motion<\/a> introduced by the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The motion was accompanied by debate<\/a> in the House of Commons on the intended purpose of Bill C-9, as well as criticisms raised by various Members of Parliament. The Justice Committee is scheduled to consider Bill C-9 at its meeting<\/a> on March 11, 2026. In accordance with the motion, the Chair of the Committee must report Bill C-9 back to the House of Commons by March 13, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While CCCC continues to support appropriate measures to address hatred and discrimination, the removal of the good-faith religious defence in Bill C-9 is concerning. We have followed up with the Minister of Justice to reiterate the importance of maintaining the good-faith religious defence. CCCC has also urged government to reopen debate on Bill C-9 and meaningfully engage with religious leaders before moving forward. CCCC will continue to monitor the progress of Bill C-9 and provide updates on this blog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Motion to End Debate<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On March 9, 2026, Members of Parliament will vote on a motion that would end the ongoing debates on Bill C-9<\/a>. If adopted, the motion will eliminate ongoing discussion of concerns about Bill C-9 during the Justice Committee\u2019s (“Committee’s”) review process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ongoing debate in the House of Commons has prompted the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons to introduce a motion<\/a> directing the Committee to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Prioritize Bill C-9 above all other Committee business; ;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Resume section-by-section consideration of Bill C-9 at the next Committee meeting;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Cease further debates about Bill C-9. The Committee would immediately vote on each section and amendment.   The meeting would continue until the Committee completed its review of Bill C-9; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Have the Chair of the Committee report Bill C-9 to the House of Commons within two sitting days after the review.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The motion establishes strict timelines for the Committee\u2019s consideration of Bill C-9  in order to move it through the legislative process. The purpose of this Motion was to end ongoing debates and quickly allow for the passage of Bill C-9 into law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    CCCC has published our concerns about Bill C-9 in recent blogs<\/a> and has written to the Justice Committee<\/a> on the potential impact Bill C-9 would have on the freedom of expression. As Bill C-9 is currently drafted, CCCC recognizes that the term \u201chatred\u201d is subject to broad interpretation. This may lead to inconsistent and subjective application if Bill C-9 became law. We are also concerned about proposals to remove the good-faith religious defence to hate speech allegations and intend to follow up with the Minister of Justice on our position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Proposed Amendments to Bill C-9<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Most recently, debate at the Committee has centered around proposed amendments<\/a>, from both supporters and opponents of the Bill. Committee Members of the Justice Committee who are generally supportive of the legislation have proposed an amendment to the Bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \n

    11.1(1) For greater certainty, nothing in subsection 319(2) or (2.2) of the Criminal Code shall be construed as prohibiting a person from communicating a statement on a matter of public interest, including an educational, religious, political or scientific statement made in the course of a discussion, publication or debate, if they do not wilfully promote hatred against an identifiable group by communicating the statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    (2) For greater certainty, nothing in subsection 319(2.1) of the Criminal Code shall be construed as prohibiting a person from communicating a statement on a matter of public interest, including an educational, religious, political or scientific statement made in the course of a discussion, publication or debate, if they do not wilfully promote antisemitism by condoning, denying or downplaying the Holocaust.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Critics of this amendment see the reasoning as circular – your religious communication is not hate propaganda if it does not wilfully promote hatred \u2013 and don\u2019t agree that it actually provides any more certainty. In response, then, those critics proposed further amendments (indicated in \u201cstrikethrough\u201d text):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    11.1(1) For greater certainty, nothing in subsection 319(2) or (2.2) of the Criminal Code shall be construed as prohibiting a person from communicating a statement on a matter of public interest, including an educational, religious, political or scientific statement made in the course of a discussion, publication or debate, if they do not wilfully promote hatred against an identifiable group by communicating the statement.<\/s><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    <\/a>(2) For greater certainty, nothing in subsection 319(2.1) of the Criminal Code shall be construed as prohibiting a person from communicating a statement on a matter of public interest, including an educational, religious, political or scientific statement made in the course of a discussion, publication or debate, if they do not wilfully promote antisemitism by condoning, denying or downplaying the Holocaust.<\/s><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    C-9 Rally in Ottawa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) Canada is organizing a rally on Parliament Hill to raise awareness of the impact of Bill C-9 on Thursday March 12, 2026. Please visit ARPA\u2019s website for further details.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We encourage members to reach out to their local MPs about their concerns regarding Bill C-9 using the resources we have shared in our previous blogs.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    CCCC will write a follow up letter to the Minister of Justice about our concerns over Bill C-9, and we will be sure to share any important updates on the progress of Bill C-9 here on our blog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    This entry is part 3 of 5 in the series Bill C-9<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    UPDATE (March 17, 2026) \u2013 REPORT OF THE JUSTICE COMMITTEE ON BILL C-9 The Justice Committee (Committee) tabled its report (Report) on the proposed changes to Bill C-9 in the House of Commons on March 13, 2026. While some amendments to Bill C-9 have been introduced to promote clarity, CCCC… More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":38733,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ts_fic_featured_image_caption":"A partial image of an open Bible. The Bible is open to Romans 5 and 6, with only the left-hand page visible. A ribbon bookmark dangles across the page and a shadow obscures the very bottom left-hand corner. Photo by Daniel Day Media<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a> ","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[137],"tags":[437,138,141],"series":[761],"class_list":["post-38844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-advocacy","tag-law-and-religion","tag-religious-freedom","series-proposed-criminal-code-amendments-that-could-impact-good-faith-religious-expression"],"yoast_head":"\nBill C-9: Motion to End Ongoing Debates - CCCC Blogs<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Justice Committee to vote on a motion to end debate on Bill C-9. 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Standing Committee Report The Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights tabled its report on Bill C-9 to the House of Commons. The \"report\" was\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Advocacy\"","block_context":{"text":"Advocacy","link":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/tag\/advocacy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blog-Legal-2025.12.09.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blog-Legal-2025.12.09.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blog-Legal-2025.12.09.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":38777,"url":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2026\/01\/21\/bill-c-9-impact-on-religious-expression-in-canada\/","url_meta":{"origin":38844,"position":1},"title":"Bill C-9: Impact on Religious Expression in Canada","author":"Deina Warren","date":"January 21, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"UPDATE (January 28, 2026) \u2013 BILL C-9 ON HOLD On January 26, 2026, the Justice Committee voted to pause further debate on Bill C-9 in order to focus on Bill C-14. Bill C-14 is a bill that would limit access to bail for individuals with a history of violent offences.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Advocacy\"","block_context":{"text":"Advocacy","link":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/tag\/advocacy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blog-Legal-2025.12.09.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blog-Legal-2025.12.09.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blog-Legal-2025.12.09.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":38900,"url":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2026\/03\/27\/bill-c-9-passes-third-reading-with-key-changes\/","url_meta":{"origin":38844,"position":2},"title":"Bill C-9: Passes Third Reading with Key Changes","author":"Deina Warren","date":"March 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"On March 25, 2026, Bill C-9 the House of Commons passed Bill C-9 at third reading. Members of Parliament voted 186 in favour and 137 against. This marks a significant step toward Bill C-9 becoming law. It will now move to the Senate for further review and vote. As we\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Advocacy\"","block_context":{"text":"Advocacy","link":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/tag\/advocacy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blog-Legal-2025.12.09.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blog-Legal-2025.12.09.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blog-Legal-2025.12.09.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":38731,"url":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2025\/12\/09\/bill-c-9-whats-at-stake-for-religious-expression\/","url_meta":{"origin":38844,"position":3},"title":"Bill C-9: What\u2019s at Stake for Religious Expression?","author":"Deina Warren","date":"December 9, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"UPDATE (December 11) According to a December 10 report from\u00a0The Catholic Register, the Justice Committee met on December 9 and voted to repeal the good faith religious defence in section 319(3)(b) of the\u00a0Criminal Code. This development is deeply troubling\u2014especially in light of earlier comments from the former Justice Committee Chair\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Advocacy\"","block_context":{"text":"Advocacy","link":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/tag\/advocacy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blog-Legal-2025.12.09.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blog-Legal-2025.12.09.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Blog-Legal-2025.12.09.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":38918,"url":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2026\/03\/30\/quebecs-bill-9-what-does-secularism-look-like-for-religious-organizations\/","url_meta":{"origin":38844,"position":4},"title":"Quebec’s Bill 9 – What Does Secularism Look Like For Religious Organizations?","author":"Deina Warren","date":"March 30, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"UPDATE (APRIL 8, 2026) \u2013 Bill 9 BECOMES LAW On April 2, 2026, Bill 9 became law after receiving royal assent. Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s National Assembly (\u201cAssembly\u201d) approved Bill 9 with 76 votes in favour and 28 against. This follows the Assembly\u2019s vote and adoption of the Report on Bill 9 on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"law and religion\"","block_context":{"text":"law and religion","link":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/tag\/law-and-religion\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Image-for-Bill-9-Blog-Post-dated-March-30-2026-.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Image-for-Bill-9-Blog-Post-dated-March-30-2026-.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Image-for-Bill-9-Blog-Post-dated-March-30-2026-.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":38827,"url":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2026\/03\/05\/one-year-until-maid-expands-for-mental-illness-what-you-need-to-know\/","url_meta":{"origin":38844,"position":5},"title":"One Year Until MAID Expands for Mental Illness: What You Need to Know","author":"Deina Warren","date":"March 5, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"March 17, 2026 will mark one year until the expansion of medical assistance in dying (\u201cMAID\u201d) to people whose sole underlying medical condition is mental illness (\u201cMAID MD-SUMC\u201d). In February 2024 Parliament passed Bill C-62, which would amend the Criminal Code to allow physicians to perform MAID on those whose\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"charities\"","block_context":{"text":"charities","link":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/tag\/charities\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Blog-2026.09.05.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Blog-2026.09.05.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Blog-2026.09.05.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p30X8p-a6w","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38844","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38844"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38844\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38733"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38844"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38844"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38844"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=38844"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}