Ottawa-Gatineau Muslim Organizations Sound Alarm Over Bill C-9, Citing Threats to Religious Freedom

The United Muslim Organizations of Ottawa-Gatineau (UMO-OG) has issued a stern warning regarding the federal government's proposed Bill C-9, also known as the Combatting Hate Act, calling for a complete pause and review of the legislation.

In a collective statement released on December 26, 2025, the group—which represents over a dozen major Islamic centers and associations in the National Capital Region—expressed "serious concern" that the bill, in its current form, threatens religious freedom and could lead to the "weaponization" of sincerely held beliefs.

The Heart of the Controversy: Section 319(3)(b)

At the center of the community’s concern is a proposed amendment to Section 319 of the Criminal Code. 

Currently, this section provides a "good-faith" defense for individuals who express religious opinions or arguments based on religious texts.

The UMO-OG argues that removing these protections—combined with the bill's proposal to eliminate the requirement for Attorney General oversight before laying hate propaganda charges—creates a dangerous legal environment.

"The removal of the long-standing good-faith religious protections... significantly increases the risk that sincerely held religious beliefs and teachings could be misconstrued and weaponized," the statement reads.

Potential Impact on Religious Expression

The coalition warns that without these safeguards, routine religious practices—such as quoting from the Qur'an or delivering a sermon (khutbah)—could be misinterpreted by law enforcement or those acting in bad faith.

The UMO-OG highlighted several key fears:

• Misinterpretation of Symbols: Religious symbols and texts could be flagged as "hate symbols" under the bill’s new broader definitions.
• Chilling Effect: Imams and community leaders may feel pressured to self-censor for fear of investigation or prosecution.
• Loss of Oversight: By removing the need for the Attorney General's consent to proceed with charges, the bill removes a crucial "sober second thought" designed to prevent frivolous or politically motivated prosecutions.

A Growing Coalition of Dissent

The UMO-OG is not alone in its opposition. 

The statement follows similar alarms raised by the Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) and the Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association (CMLA), as well as multi-faith groups and civil liberties organizations.

Critics argue that while the intent of Bill C-9—to protect marginalized communities from hate—is noble, the execution is flawed. 

They point to a recent agreement between the Liberal government and the Bloc Québécois to specifically target the religious exemption clause as evidence of a move toward over-criminalization.

The Path Forward

The UMO-OG is urging Members of Parliament to oppose the passage of Bill C-9 in its current form. They are calling for:

1. A Comprehensive Review: Moving the bill back for further study.
2. Meaningful Consultation: Engaging directly with the faith communities most likely to be affected.
3. Restoration of Protections: Ensuring Section 319(3)(b) remains intact to safeguard constitutional rights to religious freedom.

"Our community, like many others, will remember how this issue is addressed," the statement concludes, signaling that the government's response to these concerns may influence the community's trust heading into the next election cycle.

Participating Organizations include: AMA (Assunnah Muslims Association), Centre Islamique de l’Outaouais, Islam Care Centre, Masjid Bilal, Jami Omar, Kanata Muslim Association, SNMC, and the Mosque of Aylmer, among others.