On March 25, 2026, the House of Commons of Canada adopted Bill C-9 by 186 votes to 137. Behind the official title of “Law to fight against hatred”, This text raises serious concerns among Christians and defenders of religious freedom. Indeed, it could make it possible to prosecute believers for having cited passages from Holy Scripture, in particular on questions linked to homosexuality, gender identity or family. The vote took place in a tense climate, marked by an accelerated procedure which limited debate. Notably, Conservative, New Democrat and Environmentalist MPs voted against the text, forming a rare opposition to the Liberal majority and the Bloc Québécois.
For many observers, this law constitutes a turning point. David Cooke, campaign manager and Christian pastor, warned of the consequences of this text. He claims that “Christians and defenders of life will almost certainly face an entirely new level of hostility, with the door opening to real persecution under the guise of legality.”. He adds that this law, presented as targeting hatred, could in reality “lead to accusations against believers and allow ideologically motivated authorities to target, for the first time, the very Word of God on questions of life, family and faith.”
The bill was also criticized for removing a religious protection clause, which sparked a reaction from Canada’s Catholic bishops. They denounced a serious attack on freedom of religion and called for this provision to be reviewed.
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The text must now be examined by the Senate, where the majority of members were appointed under the government of Justin Trudeau. Jack Fonseca, director of political operations for Campaign Life Coalition, believes that the battle is far from over, but recognizes that it will be difficult. He calls on citizens to mobilize, declaring that it is necessary “flooding senators with calls, emails and messages” and, for Christians, accompany this mobilization with prayer and fasting.
Beyond the political debate, a fundamental question arises. Can we still proclaim biblical teaching freely in a Western society that claims to be free? For many faithful, the answer seems more and more uncertain. Faced with this situation, some recall that the history of the Church has always been marked by periods of trial. The call is now for vigilance, but also for fidelity. Because if the pressure from the world intensifies, the mission of Christians remains unchanged: to announce the truth, without compromise.
