The Canadian House of Commons on March 25 passed Bill C-9, a stringent law against hate crimes. The bill will now go to the Senate and, after being passed, will require royal assent to become law. The bill has a broad scope and covers hate crimes against all religions and ethnicities.
Once it becomes law, it will make obstructing someone from accessing a place of worship or other sites a crime punishable with up to 10 years in jail. The wilful promotion of hatred towards religious and ethnic groups by publicly displaying terror or hate symbols will also come under this law.
The bill has been widely hailed by the Indian community across Canada, which has long been targeted by pro-Khalistan extremist groups. The Government of India had repeatedly voiced its concerns to the Canadian government about the aggressive display of hate and terror symbols by such groups, including during religious occasions. Canadian authorities had often overlooked these objections, citing laws on liberty and freedom of religion.
India had a longstanding and justified grievance against the Canadian government for allowing anti-India elements to operate freely. While campaigning for “freedom” is one thing, promoting hate and violence is entirely different. Anti-India elements often used Canadian laws on liberty and expression to target India and Indians.
These groups have frequently exploited religious occasions to promote extremism. A few years ago, during a religious parade, pro-Khalistan elements displayed bullet-riddled images of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi alongside her assassins, glorifying the act. Such displays and slogans have been seen as promoting hatred and violence against India.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannu of Sikhs for Justice had also issued open threats to the Hindu community in Canada for opposing anti-India campaigns. Once Bill C-9 becomes law, such actions could attract prosecution and severe punishment.
While Bill C-9 is expected to impact pro-Khalistan activities, its primary objective is to curb anti-Semitism linked to pro-Palestine campaigns. Attacks on Hindu temples and Jewish synagogues in recent years had raised serious concerns, with authorities often criticised for inaction.
The Liberal government, led earlier by Justin Trudeau, had faced criticism for being soft on such groups. Trudeau had accused India of interference in Canadian affairs over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, without providing evidence. His successor Mark Carney has adopted a more balanced approach, with the government now moving ahead with legislation like Bill C-9.
Canada has gradually acknowledged the growing problem of hate crimes and extremist activities on its soil. The new law aims to curb the use of symbols and messages that glorify violence, including those used by groups such as Babbar Khalsa International.
Importantly, the law will not allow exemptions under “good faith” in the name of religion, closing a loophole that had been misused to promote hate.
Although not targeted at any specific group, the law is expected to make it harder for those exploiting legal gaps to incite hatred and violence against religious and ethnic communities.
With rising protests by pro-Palestine and pro-Khalistan groups disrupting normal life in Canada, public sentiment has increasingly turned against such activities.
Bill C-9, many believe, was long overdue.
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