As Bill C-9, also known as the Combating Hate Act, advances to the Senate for final deliberations, before being enacted into law, civil liberties groups, labour and faith-based groups and pro-Palestinian groups have denounced this proposed legislation as an attack against and erosion of fundamental rights protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Critics argue that instead of strengthening protections for minorities and racialized groups, the bill does the opposite. It expands policing powers, criminalizes peaceful protests, and threatens the exercise of religious expression. 

The Liberal Party, which introduced the bill, dismissed most of the criticism as “misinformation” and a response to the rise of hate crimes in Canada, especially post- October 7th attacks. Justice Minister Sean Fraser stated that Bill C-9 “strengthens protections against hate” so that constituents can “feel safe in their communities.”

When we explore the specific changes put forward by the Liberal Party – with input from the Bloc Quebecois – into this proposed bill, and take the current political climate into account, it becomes clear that the impact of Bill C-9 will unfairly benefit and protect the interests of a select few while targeting and suppressing dissent of others using broad and vague terminology open to abuse. 

As Muslims living in Canada, we have a duty to understand what this legislation entails, how it can impact the Muslim community at large, and why it is being rushed through parliament with limited debate.

What is Bill C-9?

Bill C-9 – An Act to amend the Criminal Code or more widely known as the “Combatting Hate Act,” was introduced by Justice Minister Sean Fraser on September 19, 2025. The bill modifies Canada’s existing hate-related legislation with the following new offences:

• Provoking fear in an identifiable group to enter or exit a protected space (Up to 10 years in prison)
• Obstructing or interfering with another person’s ability to access protected places (Up to 10 years in prison)
• Publicly displaying symbols associated with or resembling those of listed terrorist/hate groups (Up to 2 years in prison and/or $5,000 fine)
• Removing the “good-faith” religious-text defence, which can potentially criminalize certain religious texts or sermons deemed “hateful” by police

The Liberal government argues that these changes are necessary to address rising hate crimes in Canada, and by removing the Attorney General consent requirement for all hate propaganda offences, it will allow for quicker prosecution of hate crimes in Canada. But is that the whole story or is there more to it?

The Impact of Bill C-9 

While various civil liberties and faith groups have rightfully decried these changes to the Criminal Code, a closer look reveals that the impact of Bill C-9 on the Muslim community will be devastating and far-reaching. 

With the ongoing genocide in Gaza perpetrated by the Zionist regime with direct support from the United States and its accomplices, protesters advocating for justice in Gaza have been seen in large-scale, frequently, and in nationwide demonstrations, with tens of thousands participating in major cities all across Canada – ranging from university encampments to consulates and embassies, to highway overpasses. The newly amended offences of “Intimidation” and “Obstruction” in Bill C-9 can now potentially outlaw peaceful demonstrations, such as rallies outside cultural centers, universities, or sports arenas, if any attendees or bystanders claim to feel intimidated or if it “provokes a state of fear,” to enter or exit a certain space. The vague language used in this bill provides cover for the authorities to suppress and arrest activists and protesters, who may be demanding government accountability, ceasefires or ending Canadian arms exports to the Zionist entity, among other demands.

Another deeply problematic offence in the bill is the criminalization of displaying certain “hate symbols” which the Canadian government considers being related to – or can be confused with – those associated with terrorist groups. The reality is that the wording of the bill is intentionally left vague and subjective to allow law enforcement to arbitrarily detain individuals. 

According to Tim McSorley from the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group (ICLMG), “This could include not just the outright display of a flag of a terrorist group, for example, but also an individual wearing a keffiyeh or displaying a disputed symbol or slogan on a sign.”

Bill C-9 also repeals the “good-faith” defence law, which was originally put in place to protect sincere expressions of religious belief or opinion based on religious texts from hate crimes. This opens the door for criminalizing Islamic texts or discussions that the Canadian government deems hateful or discriminatory. Culture Minister Marc Miller told reporters in December 2025 that Canadians “shouldn’t be able to cite the Bible, the Qur’an or the Torah as protection from hate‑crime charges.”

The result of this bill will only lead to the Canadian government being placed in a position of authority to assess whether a hadith or Quranic verse is “acceptable”; and whether an Imam’s interpretation of Islam is done in “good faith.” This means increased monitoring of khutbas, discussions and duaaʾs in the masjids!

The Reality of Secular Politics

With over 350 Muslim organizations petitioning against or speaking out against Bill C-9, the ruling parties of Canada have time, and time again used the Muslim community for votes and support, only to completely disregard and betray the very constituents they claimed to be representing. For years, the Muslim community has been lectured and guilted into engaging in the secular democratic political process to secure our rights and have a “seat at the table.” According to official records, no Liberal MP was recorded voting against the bill, even though many members of the Muslim community believed that electing a “Muslim-friendly” MP would make a difference, or that participating in the electoral process in general would somehow give us a “voice” in Parliament. 

However, we should not be surprised. How can we expect a man-made system to protect us from unjust laws? The reality of Canadian politics is that MPs do not vote on behalf of their constituents but vote according to the dictates of their party leadership; otherwise, they may be ousted from the party itself. 

Then Federal MP David Kilgour, back in 2005, during a speech at the University of Alberta’s Law School, said that the system is designed to force MPs to vote along party lines: “…the ability of an elected official in government to represent constituents is seriously impaired by the high degree of party discipline prevalent in the Canadian system since about 1900… The Prime Minister has the power to dismiss a member of his caucus at any time…which is severely disadvantageous for caucus members to deviate from any agenda set by the Prime Minister.”

How to Defend Our Interests

It should be clear that lending our support to those who do not refer to Allah’s (swt) guidance to manage our affairs is not permissible irrespective of whether they help us achieve our interests or not. Bill C-9 should not be viewed only as an unjust set of laws, it is the product of an unjust system! This leads to an obvious question: If we are living in Canada, and will be affected by the socio-political conditions in this country regardless of whether we vote or not, how can we ensure we are defending the interests of the Muslims without selling out our deen to one of the political parties?

It is crucial to note here that refusing to politically support secular politicians does not mean withdrawing from the political arena. Muslims should collectively organize to arrange legal advocacy, political education, and protests to be actively engaged with the political issues in this land, from the lens of Islam. We must call for Islamic solutions and follow the path of the Prophet (saw). 

Victory is with Allah (swt) 

Voting and engaging in democratic elections will never bring justice for Muslims in Canada, in Gaza or the Ummah at large. No elections will protect our values or elevate the Ummah. Participation in this system is not only ineffective—it is Islamically not permissible. The flawed and man-made democratic system will not liberate us nor protect us. It will only delay the real work of revival by giving us false hopes. As we witness the collapse of the Capitalist system and the misery this deeply flawed system has brought to the world, we must return back to the system revealed by Allah (swt). 

On a wider scale, Bill C-9 is only part of the larger trend of Western governments to ban, limit and restrict pro-Palestinian protests against the Zionist entity. Pro-Zionist countries will continue to attempt to silence and suppress dissent from the injustices and atrocities being carried out on the Ummah through using all means.

Let us focus our energy on building real change—via working towards the re-establishment of the Khilafah in the Muslim lands. The Ummah cannot afford to place its hopes on another election, or another MP. It needs liberation. It needs its system. It needs its shield. Rasul’Allah (saw) said:

“Indeed, the Khaleefah is a shield, from behind whom you fight and by whom you are protected.” [Muslim]