In a move that critics say threatens to criminalize both hatred and bad sermons, newly minted Heritage Minister Marc Miller assured reporters Tuesday that removing the “religious belief” defence from hate-speech law is not an attack on religious freedom – just on people who think their scripture doubles as a get-out-of-jail-free card.
Miller, a self-described Christian with “very, very deep beliefs,” said those beliefs do not include “weaponizing the Book of Whatever to yell terrible things at your neighbour.” He added that genuine people of faith “should not require a divine footnote to avoid promoting hatred,” noting that most religious leaders are surprisingly enthusiastic about not being implicated in federal hate-crime trials.
The justice committee – formerly chaired by Miller, who swears this is a coincidence – will handle the amendments as part of legislation the Liberals and Bloc Québécois have agreed to pass.
“Look,” Miller said, heading into cabinet, “no one should be committing a hate crime in the name of religion. Stick to bake sales.”
