
Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis asks a question during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on June 12, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis has raised concerns that two provisions in the Liberal government’s new bill targeting hate crimes could end up putting a chill on freedom of expression in Canada.
Lewis said Bill C-9, dubbed the Combatting Hate Act, would make two “dangerous” changes to Section 319 of the Criminal Code. That section deals with the public incitement of hatred and wilful promotion of hatred against identifiable groups.