The AC Podcast Bill C-9 and the Fight for Religious Freedom
Mar 20, 2026
A deep dive into how proposed criminal code changes could reshape religious speech and legal protections. They unpack ambiguous definitions of hate and the removal of legal defenses for faith-based teachings. The conversation examines chilling effects on pastors and small churches and the political tactics that push incremental change. Calls to civic engagement and understanding the Charter round out the discussion.
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Ambiguous Definition Of Hate Creates Subjectivity
- The bill's vagueness around what counts as "hate" makes enforcement highly subjective and dependent on the receiver's feelings.
- Steve Kim highlights risk that emotion-based definitions let identical remarks be criminal in one case and harmless in another.
Keep Pressure On Through Every Bill Revision
- Stay engaged as the bill changes: read updates, sign petitions, and contact MPs whenever amendments appear.
- Andy Steiger notes the bill is repeatedly retooled, requiring persistent public pressure to influence outcomes.
Town Halls Packed While Media Stay Silent
- Andy attended a packed local town hall about Bill C-9 where media were noticeably absent despite invitations.
- He emailed local outlets and found virtually no coverage, illustrating a media silence on the issue.