Léger: Canadians Support Removing Religious Privilege Regarding Hate Speech

Majorities in every region and across all age groups agree with removing religious exceptions from criminal code

Under the Canadian Criminal Code, someone charged with hate speech or inciting violence towards minority groups can use as defence an exception granted in the criminal code to religions and religious organizations: That he or she was establishing, in good faith, an opinion or point of view based on a religious text.

A Bloc Québécois bill tabled last November sought to remove that exception.

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How do Canadians feel about religious exceptions when it comes to hate speech? A new Léger poll shows a clear majority of Canadians, including majorities in every polling region, would support remove this religious privilege.