THE MIGRATION - TRIBUNAL - Bill C-254: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (promotion of hatred against Indigenous peoples)

Bill C-254: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (promotion of hatred against Indigenous peoples)

Bill C-254 — 45-1

Bill C-254: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (promotion of hatred against Indigenous peoples) Sponsor: Ms. Gazan. Private Member's Bill. First Reading: October 31, 2025. LEGISLATIVE CONTENT: Section 1(1): New subsection 319(2.01) — creates offence of making statements that promote hatred toward Indigenous peoples by "condoning, denying, downplaying or justifying the Indian residential school system" outside private conversations. Conviction: indictable (up to 2 years) or summary. Section 1(2): Four legal defenses: statements are factually true; good faith religious expression; statements on public interest reasonably believed true; good faith identification of hatred-producing matters for removal. Section 1(3): Updates forfeiture, seizure exemption, and consent requirements. Section 1(4): "Indigenous peoples" defined per Constitution Act 1982 section 35(2). EFFECT: Criminalizes public denial or justification of residential school system. Addresses a specific form of hate speech but does not address systemic drivers of anti-Indigenous hatred or improve Indigenous wellbeing outcomes.