This policy update briefly outlines what libraries need to know about Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act. Bill C-9 will come into force in less than two weeks, on July 18.
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As there were two significant legislative actions in June, we’ll have an extra policy update. Next week, CFLA will provide a policy update on Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, which was introduced in June and is intended to make social media services and AI chatbots safer for children (under 16).
How does the Combatting Hate Act (Bill C-9) affect libraries?
Bill C-9 is the government’s response to a rise in antisemitism, Islamophobia, homophobia and transphobia and has raised concerns about its impact on civil liberties and religious speech. There is no content in Bill C-9 specifically impacting the work of most libraries; however, Bill C-9 makes it a crime to intimidate or obstruct people from accessing places primarily used by an identifiable group. Some libraries operate for or within institutions for an identifiable group, so this legislation would apply to those libraries.
For other libraries, the most significant changes for awareness are making it a crime to display certain symbols and removal of the good faith religious opinion defense.
Does Bill C-9 change the legal definition of hate in Canada?
Bill C-9 defines hatred as “an emotion of an intense and extreme nature that is clearly associated with vilification and detestation. This definition reflects existing Supreme Court of Canada jurisprudence that courts across the country already apply.” (Department of Justice Canada, June 19, 2026). This definition comes from the leading case on this topic in Canada, R. v. Keegstra, so it doesn’t change how hate is defined by the legal system.
What else should libraries be aware of with Bill C-9 coming into force?
Bill C-9 makes it a crime to promote hatred against an identifiable group by displaying terrorism or hate symbols in public that are primarily associated with listed terrorist entities. Libraries should be aware of these symbols, which include two Nazi symbols and a noose. The website for listed terrorist entities is below.
The Bill also removes a defense that was available for intentional and wilful promotion of hatred in a public place based on good faith religious opinions. This means that when someone is accused of certain hate propaganda offenses, religious belief cannot be used as a defense. The legislation is not intended to affect religious sermons, texts and teachings – it is aimed at those statements communicated intentionally to promote hatred.
What is CFLA doing related to Bill C-9 and understanding hate for libraries?
We have a CFLA Task Force on Understanding the Legislation about Hate Literature. The Task Force is developing a guideline/FAQ for libraries that we anticipate publishing in early Fall.
Resources referenced above:
Department of Justice Backgrounder
Scope of Future Monthly Updates
The scope of CFLA-FCAB policy news updates will be national policy that affects the delivery of library services, issued by the federal government through legislation or significant decisions. We’ll also include international policy activities through IFLA that affect Canada, such as UN organization statements or new IFLA policies, and national library policy, such as metadata standards. Updates will include statements or communication from CFLA on the topic, and resources from member associations when relevant.
When time-sensitive issues arise, CFLA-FCAB may send additional updates.