Bill C-257
Not yet scheduled
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (promotion of terrorist activity or group)
Bill C-257 would amend the Criminal Code to make it a crime to wilfully promote terrorism, terrorist activity, or terrorist groups — including glorifying or celebrating such groups or their actions.
Sponsor · Roman Baber
What it means for you
If passed, it would be illegal to publicly celebrate or promote terrorist groups or their attacks — a gap left when a previous law criminalizing glorification of terrorism was repealed in 2017.
The debate · 6 points
Supporters say
- A law that once banned glorifying terrorism was repealed in 2017, leaving no clear criminal prohibition against publicly celebrating terrorist groups or their attacks. This bill would restore that protection.
- People have been seen in Canadian cities dressing as and celebrating convicted terrorists, including those responsible for mass killings. Criminalizing this behaviour would send a clear message that such conduct is unacceptable.
- Multiple experts who testified at the justice committee argued that wilful promotion of terrorism should be criminalized, suggesting broad agreement that this gap needs to be closed.
Critics say
- Critics argue that criminalizing the 'promotion' of terrorism could be interpreted broadly enough to restrict legitimate political speech, protest, or commentary about conflicts abroad.
- Determining what counts as 'promotion' or 'glorification' versus political expression or criticism of foreign policy is legally complex and could lead to inconsistent enforcement.
- Canada's Criminal Code already contains offences related to terrorism financing and participation — opponents may argue additional speech-based offences are redundant or overly broad.
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