Tory MPs talk hate crimes bill with Windsor-Essex residents

Windsor-Essex residents and Conservative MPs gathered on Tuesday to discuss Bill C9.

Discussion of a contentious Liberal bill aimed at addressing hate was front and centre at a town hall in Windsor on Tuesday evening.

Conservative Members of Parliament from Windsor to London spoke to a crowd of about 200 people at the Ciociaro Club.

Known as the Combating Hate Act, Bill C‑9 aims to define hatred within criminal law and introduce new Criminal Code offences.

However, Andrew Lawton, Conservative MP for Elgin—St. Thomas—London South, said the bill blurs the line between hate speech and freedom of expression.

“The biggest thing with Bill C‑9 is that no community will be protected from hate by legislation that really infringes on their fundamental rights,” Lawton said.

“This is a bill that, in its current form, removes long-standing protections that people of faith have enjoyed.”

Among the proposed changes in Bill C‑9 is the removal of a religious exemption related to hate speech in the Criminal Code.

Addressing the crowd, Lawton said hate exists, but the legislative changes infringe on freedom of speech.

Residents at the town hall raised concerns about increased censorship, erosion of trust and religious freedoms.

Existing laws already provide legal protections for those facing hate, Lawton said, but require stronger enforcement.

“My caution to any community would be if existing laws are not being enforced, new laws are not going to solve that underlying problem,” he said.

The bill would also create new offences related to obstruction and intimidation to protect places of worship.

Bill C‑9 has drawn concern from some religious and civil liberties groups, who argue it could restrict peaceful protest and freedom of expression.

The bill passed third reading last week and will now proceed to the Senate, where it will be studied and amendments may still be proposed.

Lawton said community outreach across the country is aimed at encouraging residents to contact local senators to seek changes to the legislation.