10.64°C Vancouver

Sep 19, 2025 6:15 PM - The Canadian Press

Liberals’ new hate crime bill targets 'symbols' of hate

Share On
liberals-new-hate-crime-bill-targets-symbols-of-hate
Justice Minister Sean Fraser says the bill will create new crimes of obstruction and intimidation aimed at protecting religious institutions.(Photo- The Canadian Press)

The Liberal government has introduced legislation to create four new hate-related criminal offences.

Justice Minister Sean Fraser says the bill will create new crimes of obstruction and intimidation aimed at protecting religious institutions.

Fraser says the bill will make it a criminal offence to wilfully promote hate through the use of hate symbols.

That designation would apply to two Nazi symbols — the swastika and the SS bolt — and symbols of designated terrorist entities.

Fraser says the bill also would create a new category of hate crime which would be layered on top of existing offences and would apply in cases where the crime was motivated by hate towards the victim.

He outlined aspects of the bill at a press conference that took place before the text of the bill was made available to media.

Latest news

new-westminster-police-seize-multiple-weapons-during-sexual-exploitation-investigation
BCMay 29, 2026

New Westminster police seize multiple weapons during sexual exploitation investigation

New Westminster police say an investigation into the alleged sexual exploitation of a youth led officers to seize multiple firearms and prohibited devices from a local residence. According to the New Westminster Police Department, the investigation began March 21 after a member of the public reported seeing an adult man behaving in what they believed was an inappropriate manner with a female youth in a public place. The witness provided police with a vehicle licence plate after the pair left the area. Officers later located the man and determined he had court-imposed conditions prohibiting him
abbotsford-police-seize-fentanyl-during-patrol-investigation-on-south-fraser-way
BCMay 29, 2026

Abbotsford police seize fentanyl during patrol investigation on South Fraser Way

Abbotsford Police say a woman was arrested Wednesday afternoon after officers conducting proactive patrols observed suspected drug activity in the 32400 block of South Fraser Way. According to an Abbotsford Police Department release, patrol officers arrested a 48-year-old Abbotsford woman shortly before 3 p.m. on May 27 in connection with the investigation. Police said a search following the arrest resulted in the seizure of more than 100 grams of packaged drugs, including fentanyl, along with a small amount of cash. Investigators have not announced any charges as of publication time, and the
niagara-police-homicide-unit-investigating-womans-death-in-st-catharines
CanadaMay 29, 2026

Niagara police homicide unit investigating woman’s death in St. Catharines

Detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service homicide unit are continuing to investigate the death of a 23-year-old woman in St. Catharines. According to Niagara Regional Police, uniform officers from 1 District responded to a residence near Lakeshore Road and Lake Street on Friday, May 15, after reports that two people were found without vital signs. Police said officers located 23-year-old Vidhi Kalpeshkumar Megha deceased inside the home. Investigators have not released further details about the circumstances surrounding the death. The victim’s family has been notified, police said
calgary-man-dies-after-being-struck-by-c-train-downtown
AlbertaMay 29, 2026

Calgary man dies after being struck by C-Train downtown

Calgary police say a man who was struck by a C-Train in downtown Calgary last week has died from his injuries. Police said the collision happened Thursday afternoon when a man in his 60s was walking in the downtown core and entered the path of an oncoming light-rail transit train. According to the Calgary Police Service, the man became pinned beneath the train and was taken to hospital in critical condition. Police confirmed this week that he later died. Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the collision. Police have not released the man’s identity and no further
trump-says-u-s-blockade-in-strait-of-hormuz-to-be-lifted
WorldMay 29, 2026

Trump says U.S. blockade in Strait of Hormuz to be lifted

U.S. President Donald Trump says a U.S. naval blockade affecting ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz will be lifted, following days of disruption in one of the world’s busiest oil transit routes. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said vessels delayed in the strait “may start the process of ‘heading home,’” adding that the blockade had been “amazing and unprecedented.” According to international energy agencies, roughly 20 per cent of global crude oil shipments move through the Strait of Hormuz during peacetime. The narrow waterway along Iran’s southern coast is considere

Related News