Midnight tonight, July 18, 2026, **Bill C-9** — the Combatting Hate Act — officially takes effect across Canada

- Making it a crime to **intimidate or obstruct** people from accessing places of worship, schools, community centres, and other spots primarily used by an “identifiable group.”

- A clearer hate crime provision that “denounces” hate-motivated offences.

- A new offence for **wilfully promoting hatred** by publicly displaying certain hate or terrorism symbols.

The government says this protects communities after a rise in reported hate crimes. On paper it sounds narrow and reasonable.

The concern is in the wording and how it will actually be used.

Broad phrases like “intimidate,” “obstruct,” “promoting hatred,” and “identifiable group” give police and prosecutors significant discretion. Past hate speech cases in Canada have shown how quickly definitions can stretch when the political climate shifts. Religious speech, political protest near certain locations, and even displaying symbols or flags that someone finds offensive could now fall under scrutiny.

This isn’t a sudden overnight ban on criticism. It’s another incremental expansion of state power over speech, assembly, and symbols — the same pattern we’ve seen with other recent bills.

Midnight tonight, July 18, 2026, **Bill C-9** — the Combatting Hate Act — officially takes effect across Canada.

Here’s the plain version of what just became law:

The bill adds new Criminal Code offences, including:
- Making it a crime to **intimidate or obstruct** people from… pic.twitter.com/KLwbuh0vdD

— JayGen ???? er???????? (@JayGenXer)July 18, 2026