Current Legal Framework

Public reference, not legal advice. Update this page when statutes or controlling case law change.
ExpressionGeneral category
Canada should reduce immigration.Political policy advocacy.
Sharia should have no civil authority in Canada.Political and legal criticism.
Criticism of a religion as doctrineCriticism of ideas; context matters.
Threatening persons or groupsPotential criminal exposure.
Advocating violencePotential incitement or other criminal exposure.
Wilful promotion of hatred against an identifiable groupPotential hate-propaganda exposure; elements and defences matter.

Editorial rule

Distinguish criticism of policy, ideology, religion, or legal systems from hostility directed at persons because of protected characteristics. Do not infer criminality from controversy alone.