Currently, the law exempts hateful or antisemitic speech if the speaker expressed 'in good faith' an opinion 'based on a belief in a religious text'

OTTAWA — Opposition Conservatives say a deal between the governing Liberals and the Bloc Québécois to remove a religious exemption from Canada’s hate-speech laws, in exchange for passing a bill targeting hate and terror symbols, is an “assault” on freedom of speech and religion.

The amendments are expected to be tabled during Tuesday’s meeting of the parliamentary justice committee studying the legislation, known as Bill C-9, which Conservatives have vowed to fight.

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Currently, section 319 of the Criminal Code permits the propagation of hateful or antisemitic speech if the speaker expressed “in good faith” an opinion “bas

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