March 20, 2026
TO: Parish Council Presidents and Secretaries
CC: Diocesan Presidents and Secretaries, Provincial Presidents and Secretaries, National Officers (for information), National Life Member Liaison
FROM: Jessie Parkinson, National Chairperson of Social Justice
URGENT
Bill C-9 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda, hate crime and access to religious or cultural places), was passed by the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on March 11th and was reported back to the House of Commons on March 13th. Also known as the Combatting Hate Act, the final version of the bill continues to contain the removal of what has been commonly referred to as the “good faith” religious belief defence, which has been in the Criminal Code since 1970. It was designed to protect Canadians’ ability to discuss, hold or express religious views, even if those views were unpopular, provided they were not intended to maliciously promote hatred.
This is a significant blow to organizations that have raised concerns about this move which include the League, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, Archbishop Frank Cardinal Leo (Toronto), the Catholic Civil Rights League, the National Council of Canadian Muslims, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council, Centre for Free Expression, and a coalition of over 40 civil society organizations, including the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association and Canadian Council for Refugees.
The report stage and the third reading have not yet been scheduled; however, only one day is allotted to each. Parliament is in recess this week, but it is expected that the bill will pass third reading and advance to the Senate the week of March 23–27.
This is a matter of great urgency. Members are asked to immediately contact their member of parliament (MP) by email to express opposition to the bill’s passage (use this link to access your MP’s email address: ourcommons.ca/Members/en).
The email to your member of parliament should be short and to the point. Suggested wording:
I am writing today to ask you to oppose Bill C-9 Combatting Hate Act as it stands.
This final version presented by committee of the bill continues to contain the removal of what has been commonly referred to as the “good faith” religious belief defence, which has been in the Criminal Code since 1970 and was designed to protect Canadians’ ability to discuss, hold or express religious views, even if those views were unpopular, provided they were not intended to maliciously promote hatred. I am a member of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada, support the letter dated January 28, 2026, sent to the minister of justice and attorney general by the League’s national president, and do not believe this proposed bill should be supported as it creates the potential to criminalize faith, religious beliefs and practices.
As one of your constituents, I urge you to oppose Bill C-9 as it currently stands, to protect freedom of speech and expressions of religious belief.
Other organizations, such as the Canadian Constitution Foundation, also offer formulaic ways to communicate with your MP.
Please act immediately.
Your sister in the League,
Jessie Parkinson
National Chairperson of Social Justice