In the News:
Quebec Asks for Repeal of Religious Exception

Discours haineux: Simon Jolin-Barrette demande à Ottawa d’en finir avec l’exemption religieuse (Hate Propaganda: Simon Jolin-Barrette asks Ottawa to put an end to the religious exception), Raphaël Pirro, Journal de Montréal, 2024-11-29.

Quebec Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette is asking his federal counterpart, Arif Virani, to criminalize hate speech delivered “under the guise of faith” and is criticizing “the inaction of federal lawmakers” following recurring outbursts in Montreal.

Two provisions in the Criminal Code of Canada exempt anyone who makes hateful remarks if those remarks are part of the defense or presentation of a religious point of view.

In a letter sent Thursday to Mr. Virani, a copy of which was obtained by Le Journal, Mr. Jolin-Barrette states that the type of speech justified by these provisions “contributes to a toxic climate” and that it “must no longer be tolerated.”

[…]

Since October 7, 2023, the Montréal police have reported 310 hate crimes and incidents against the Jewish (230) and Arab-Muslim (80) communities. Across Canada, hateful acts have almost tripled since 2015, according to RCMP figures.

[…]

The issue concerning this religious exemption has already been raised in Ottawa. Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet has proposed a bill to repeal the religious exemption. This initiative has been stuck in limbo in Parliament since February.

[…]

For Minister Jolin-Barrette, it is “imperative and urgent” that the federal government repeal these provisions which “directly contradict the right to equality enjoyed by citizens under the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.”

We at AFT have been working for years for the repeal of this religious exception which grants religious believers the privilege of impunity for hate speech, a privilege not granted to non-believers.

We note that the number of anti-Jewish incidents of hatred is much greater than the number of anti-Muslim incidents.

See also:

• Atheist Freethinkers Supports Draft Legislation to Repeal the Religious Exception for Hate Propaganda
• In the News:
  End Religious Hate Speech!
• C-373, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (promotion of hatred or antisemitism) , Parliament of Canada, 2024-06-14.