New Hate Crime Law to Protect Canadian Newcomers and Communities

When I moved to Canada in early 2020, it only took a couple of weeks before a stranger yelled at me to “go back to your country.” It was an unpleasant surprise for two reasons: I had never been part of a minority community before, and I had not expected Canadians — people who are gently mocked for their politeness — to be hateful.

While my experience was relatively tame (a hate incident, but not a hate crime), many newcomers and minority communities have faced an increase in hate crimes, including organized violent attacks. According to the government’s data, police-reported hate crimes more than doubled between 2018 and 2024.

Recognizing this, the Government of Canada has introduced a new law, The Combatting Hate Act to protect communities in Canada. Starting July 18, 2026, Canada’s places of worship, schools, and community centres will have stronger legal protection against intimidation and obstruction. Here is what you should know about the new hate crime rules in Canada.

Key Takeaways

• The Combatting Hate Act (Bill C-9) became law on June 19, 2026, and its provisions came into force on July 18, 2026.
• It is now a specific crime to intimidate or block people from entering places of worship, schools, community centres, or other spaces used by an identifiable group.
• Hate-motivated crime is now its own offence under the Criminal Code, with a clearer legal definition of hatred.
• Displaying certain terrorism symbols, Nazi symbols, or a noose to promote hatred in public is now a specific crime.
• The law does not restrict religious teaching, peaceful protest, or political opinion. Those freedoms remain protected.

What The Combatting Hate Act Will Do

Until recently, if someone blocked your access to a mosque, synagogue, temple, gurdwara, church, or school, or tried to intimidate you while you were going there, this act did not fall under any specific criminal offence built for that situation. The new act changes this.

Under the new combatting hate law, it is a crime to intimidate or obstruct people trying to access places primarily used by an “identifiable group”. That includes places of worship, schools, and community centres. An “identifiable group” is not limited to groups based on religion or ethnicity. It also includes groups distinguished by age, sex, gender identity or expression, or mental or physical disability.

Both intimidation and obstruction, in such circumstances, have now become criminal offences punishable by up to ten years imprisonment.

The law also creates a new, standalone offence for hate-motivated crime. Before this act, the Criminal Code addressed hate propaganda through four separate offences. This law adds a fifth: wilfully promoting hatred against an identifiable group by publicly displaying certain hate or terrorism symbols. That includes symbols linked to listed terrorist entities, two specific Nazi symbols, and the noose.

The act also adds a legal definition of “hatred”, making it easier to interpret what counts as a hate crime under the Criminal Code. It describes hatred as an intense, extreme emotion tied to vilification and detestation of a group.

Finally, the new hate crime offence law brings in higher maximum penalties for more serious crimes. The escalating punishment structure will be based on the seriousness of the crime and the level of responsibility of the offender.

What The Combatting Hate Crime Act Does Not Do

Critics of the bill (before it became law) warned that the act may create “bubble zones” or protest-free areas around certain buildings, which posed a threat to democracy. However, the new hate crime law does not do this. Provinces and municipalities still have the authority to create bubble zones, if needed, around places like abortion clinics, schools, or daycares. This federal law is separate from those.

The law also does not prohibit religious teaching, sermons, or scripture. You can still preach, read scripture, and practice your religion freely. Peaceful protest, political advocacy, and simply disagreeing with someone or criticizing an idea are not covered under the new law. The offences target intentional intimidation, obstruction, hate-motivated crime, and the wilful promotion of hatred through specific symbols.

Why This Matters for You

While we hope for a future that is equitable, safe, and free from hate, Canada isn’t quite there yet. Between 2018 and 2024, race, ethnicity, and religion were the most common motivations behind police-reported hate crimes. In 2024, Jewish and Muslim communities were the most frequently targeted religious groups. Black Canadians have been the most targeted group for race-based hate crimes every year since 2020.

If you are new to Canada, or planning your move here, your initial months will deal with the unfamiliar: a new school for your kids, a new job, a new place to pray or gather with your community. As you work to build a better life in Canada, it helps to know that there are laws that exist to protect communities and legal action can be taken against those who commit or are involved in hate crimes.

What to Do If You Experience or Witness a Hate Crime

It’s important to note that not all hate incidents rise to the level of a hate crime in the eyes of the law.

A hate incident is a non-criminal action or behaviour motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate toward a person or group, things like racist slurs, discriminatory jokes, or hostile comments made online or in person. A hate crime, by contrast, is a hate or bias-motivated criminal act, usually against an identifiable group.

If you have experienced or witnessed a hate crime, you should report it. Reporting helps police spot patterns, respond earlier, and prevent situations from escalating into something more serious.

• If you or someone around you is in immediate danger due to a hate-motivated crime, call 9-1-1.
• If you are not in imminent danger (or if you’re unsure whether a hate incident rises to the level of a crime), you should report it to your local police service or RCMP.
• If you believe a situation involves someone moving toward organized or ideologically motivated violent extremism, you can also contact the RCMP’s National Security Information Network at 1-800-420-5805, or report online at ca/report-it.