This week, Members of Parliament voted to adopt Bill C-9, ushering in a dangerous roll-back of civil liberties that will be used to target the Palestine solidarity movement.

The bill was adopted 186 to 137 with Liberals and Bloc MPs voting in favour, while the NDP, Green, and Conservatives voted against.

As CJPME has long argued alongside our partners, C-9 criminalizes protest, suppresses dissent, and expands police discretionary power. The bill was rushed through Parliament without full review or debate, ignoring the significant concerns raised by civil society.

This legislation to restrict dissent was passed just days after Israel’s Ambassador called for Canada to limit certain “freedoms,” and amid escalating Israeli violence in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran.

However, the fight is not over. Now that the Bill has passed the House of Commons, it moves to the Senate. Senators will have an opportunity to properly review and debate the bill, bringing in expert witnesses. We need the Senate to have a full hearing on C-9 so that they can understand its full implications. Please use our email tool to send an email to Senators to express your concerns.