Bill C-9: ALCCA Resources, Submissions, and Legal Analysis
- ALCCA Staff
- Dec 12, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 17, 2025
As Bill C-9 is reviewed by the House of Commons Justice Committee, ALCCA has engaged extensively in the parliamentary process. The resources below bring together ALCCA’s work on the bill, including plain-language explainers, coalition positions, formal submissions, parliamentary testimony, and legal analysis intended to clarify key legal and policy issues.
The Legalities of the Religious Exemption Defence – Correcting Misconceptions
A detailed legal analysis examining the debate surrounding Bill C-9 (Combatting Hate Act) and the proposed removal of the religious exemption defence to wilful promotion of hatred. The article corrects misinformation at both ends of the debate, explains how the offence and its defences actually operate in law, and urges parliamentarians not to be distracted from strengthening existing hate speech laws. Click here to read the article.
Bill C-9: Coalition Endorsement of ALCCA Chair’s Recommendations
Thirty-four ALCCA member organizations have endorsed Chair Mark Sandler’s submissions to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Bill C-9 (Combatting Hate Act). The submissions outline seven key recommendations to strengthen Canada’s ability to address hate-motivated and extremist conduct while preserving essential legal safeguards. Click here to read the recommendations.
Written Submissions by Mark Sandler on Bill C-9
Read Mark Sandler’s formal submissions to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Canada’s proposed Combatting Hate Act (Bill C-9). In this detailed analysis, ALCCA’s Chair outlines key strengths and needed amendments to ensure the legislation meaningfully enhances Canada’s response to hate-motivated crime. Click here to read the submissions.
Understanding Bill C-9: Insights from the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST) Hearing
ALCCA Chair Mark Sandler appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST) as part of its hearings on Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act. In this article, Mark reflects on the hearing and also addresses inaccurate information circulating about Bill C-9, offering clear answers to common questions around free speech, enforcement, and protections for the Jewish community. Click here to read the full article and view the hearing recording.
What Bill C-9 – the Combatting Hate Act – Means for You
In this article, ALCCA Chair Mark Sandler breaks down Canada’s proposed Combatting Hate Act and what it could mean for your community. The Bill introduces new hate-motivated offences and stronger penalties, but also raises concerns about enforcement and the potential repeal of an important safeguard. This plain-language explainer outlines where the legislation advances the fight against hate – and where it still falls short. Click here to read the article.
Town Hall on Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act
On December 11, 2025, CIJA co-hosted a Town Hall on Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act with the Alliance of Canadians Combatting Antisemitism, B’nai Brith Canada, Canadian Women Against Antisemitism, Canadian Jewish Law Association, and Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center. Watch it here.
--
This page will continue to be updated as Bill C-9 progresses, with additional resources, analysis, and relevant updates added as they become available.