C-9 Passes (the House) | MP Andrew Lawton Response, From Parliament (youtube.com)
Comments not pleased. Many voiced hope the Senate would stop the Bill.
It is focused on criminalizing 'hate' speech and 'hate' acts. Illegal to do conduct intended to provoke fear or intentionally obstruct access to buildings for community activities like churches and schools. (Will this mostly be used to persecute protesters? because who else blocks access?) Hate symbols or terrorist symbols in public places (ie the government now decides what symbols mean, not the organic process of society in its pluralism and change). A distinct 'hate crime offense.' A definition of 'hatred' as an emotion involving detestation and vilification stronger than disdain (so people can no longer even have natural feelings or express them, and if they have such a natural response they must be careful to never show it)?
They removed the 'good faith' religious speech defense, so individuals can no longer freely express opinions on religious subjects in good faith.
Is this just what happens when you don't have a real constitution? Or when you have a citizenry that has basically no education in civics?
As always, these things will probably continue to get worse until some people take a stand, which will cause a public crisis, and people will then have to choose a side, and either the public opinion will split and the country'd have two sides which disagree (requiring authoritarianism by the ruling group) or compromise/tolerance of the new persecuted group (people who speak).
Does this mean a person can be arrested if they say 'I hate you!' or 'I hate that!'? Or only if the thing they hate can claim a separate (or 'minority') group status?