Social media posts circulating in late March 2026 claimed that Canada had criminalized the public reading or quoting of the Bible. The claim is false.

The posts misrepresented Bill C-9, legislation currently before the Canadian Senate. The bill would modify certain provisions in Canada's Criminal Code related to hate propaganda, but it does not ban the Bible or prohibit quoting Scripture.

Bill C-9 would remove an existing legal defense in some hate-propaganda cases that is tied to religious subjects or religious texts. The legislation also includes a narrow definition of "hatred" and clarifies that religious statements made in discussion, publication, or debate are not prohibited unless they willfully promote hatred against an identifiable group.

As of March 30, 2026, Bill C-9 had passed the House of Commons and moved to the Senate but had not become law.

What the Right Is Saying

Religious freedom advocates and some conservative commentators have expressed concern about Bill C-9, arguing that even with its religious protections, the legislation could chill legitimate expressions of faith. They worry that the definition of "willfully promoting hatred" could be applied broadly to sermons, religious education, or political speech grounded in faith-based values.

Some critics on the right have echoed the false claims about criminalizing Bible reading, though these posts mischaracterize the bill's actual text. Other conservative voices have acknowledged that the legislation does not explicitly ban Scripture but argue that its broad language could lead to selective enforcement. Religious organizations have urged the Senate to add stronger protections for religious expression before any final passage.

What the Left Is Saying

Progressive advocates and some legal scholars have defended Bill C-9 as a reasonable update to Canada's hate speech laws. They argue that the existing religious defense in hate propaganda cases has been too broad and has allowed some harmful content to avoid prosecution. Supporters of the legislation say it provides clearer guidance on what constitutes hate speech while preserving space for legitimate religious expression and debate.

Canadian civil liberties organizations have generally supported the bill's approach to defining hatred narrowly. They contend that the legislation strikes a balance between protecting vulnerable groups from incitement to violence and maintaining freedom of religious expression. Advocates note that the bill explicitly protects religious statements made in good faith discussion.

What the Numbers Show

Bill C-9 has passed the House of Commons and is awaiting Senate consideration as of March 30, 2026. The bill would modify Section 319 of Canada's Criminal Code, which addresses hate propaganda offenses. The existing legal defense tied to religious subjects would be removed in certain circumstances, while the legislation defines "hatred" using a narrower standard than some advocates had sought.

The bill explicitly states that religious statements made in "discussion, publication or debate" are not prohibited unless they "willfully promote hatred." This language was added to address concerns about freedom of religion, though critics note that the interpretation will depend on how courts apply the standard in practice.

The claim that Canada has criminalized Bible reading or quoting is not supported by the bill's text. No provision in Bill C-9 explicitly prohibits reading or quoting religious texts.

The Bottom Line

The viral posts claiming Canada criminalized Bible quotes are false. Bill C-9 addresses hate speech provisions in Canadian law and has not become law as of late March 2026. The legislation does not ban Scripture or public reading of religious texts, though it would modify existing legal defenses in hate propaganda cases.

The bill now moves to the Senate, where debate over its religious freedom implications is expected to continue. Both supporters and critics of the legislation agree that it does not criminalize Bible reading, though they disagree on whether its language adequately protects religious expression. Social media users sharing the false claims have been encouraged to verify information against the bill's actual text before sharing.