Bill Detail
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (promotion of hatred against Indigenous peoples)
This enactment amends the Criminal Code to create an offence of wilfully promoting hatred against Indigenous peoples by condoning, denying, downplaying or justifying the Indian residential school system in Canada through statements communicated other than in private conversation.
Bill C-413 proposes to amend the Criminal Code to create a new offence related to the promotion of hatred against Indigenous peoples. Specifically, it would criminalize wilfully promoting hatred by condoning, denying, downplaying, or justifying the Indian residential school system in Canada through public statements. This bill aims to address harmful narratives and misinformation surrounding this historical trauma.
This proposed law would affect individuals who communicate statements that promote hatred towards Indigenous peoples by misrepresenting or justifying the residential school system. It introduces new legal grounds for prosecution, though it also includes defences related to truth, good faith, public interest discussion, and intent to remove hate-inducing matters. The bill is currently at an early stage in Parliament, meaning it has not yet been scheduled for debate.