Canada introduces legislation to combat hate crimes, intimidation, and obstruction

There is a horrifying rise in hate crimes in our communities, and Canada will not tolerate anyone being made to feel afraid because of who they are, how they worship, or where they gather. Rising antisemitism, Islamophobia, homophobia and transphobia have left too many people feeling unsafe in their own communities.

To address this rise in hate, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada introduced the new Combatting Hate Act in September 2025. The legislation that will create three new criminal offences is intended to strengthen protections against hate. The first new offence targets hate crimes directly for the first time in Canada. The second targets intimidation and obstruction. The third expands an existing criminal law targeting wilful promotion of hatred.

Canada’s hate crime laws apply to acts of hatred towards identifiable groups, those distinguished by colour, race, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or mental or physical disability.

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