Canadians Rise Up: Massive Grassroots Pressure Stalls Hate Speech Bill

A wave of public resistance has forced a sudden pause on the federal government’s controversial Bill C‑9, a proposal critics say would erode free expression and undermine long‑standing protections for religious belief. What began as a modest grassroots effort quickly grew into a national pushback, with advocacy group 4 My Canada reporting that roughly 2,000 Canadians placed more than 40,000 calls to MPs during its “12 Days for Freedom” campaign.

The surge in civic engagement coincided with a packed Religious Freedom Town Hall in Brampton, where MPs Garnett Genuis, Larry Brock, and Andrew Lawton rallied opposition to the bill. According to 4 My Canada’s executive director, Faytene Grasseschi, the response far exceeded expectations and revealed deep concern across diverse faith communities.

Participants focused their calls on MPs elected by narrow margins, urging them to reject legislation they believe would weaken protections for “sincerely held religious beliefs.” Grasseschi warned that the bill’s timing and substance send troubling signals: growing government hostility toward people of faith and increased willingness to police expression under the banner of “hate speech.”

The pressure campaign appears to be working. On January 26, the Justice Committee voted to delay further study of Bill C‑9, allowing other legislation to move ahead instead. MP Andrew Lawton credited Canadians for the shift, writing on X that “Your voices have been heard loud and clear… what we succeeded in doing today is getting the Liberals to admit that there are far more pressing concerns than their divisive and toxic Bill C‑9.”

For free‑speech advocates, the episode is a reminder that public vigilance matters. When governments attempt to broaden the definition of “hate speech,” the risk of censorship grows—and so does the need for citizens to speak up. If Bill C‑9 returns for a final vote, its critics say they’ll be ready.