CLC Calls on Federal Government to Entirely Withdraw Bill C-9
Campaign Life Coalition (CLC), together with representatives from 4 My Canada, CitizenGo, and Campaign Québec-Vie, held a joint press conference on February 12, 2026, in the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery in Ottawa to raise concerns about Bill C-9, a bill introduced on September 19, 2025 and ostensibly aimed at "combatting hate."
The groups collectively represent more than 60,000 Canadians who have signed petitions opposing the bill.
They called on the federal government to withdraw Bill C-9 in its entirety, citing concerns about its potential impact on religious freedom and other Charter-protected rights.
“In the name of combatting hate, Bill C-9 opens the door to the criminalization of religious expression and belief. While paying lip service to religion, Bill C-9 pulls the rug out from under people of faith,” said CLC Communications Director Pete Baklinski during the event.
David Cooke, CLC’s Campaigns Manager, called Bill C-9 a “threat” to fundamental freedoms.
“The Liberal government, together with the Bloc Quebecois, aims to tighten the noose on our free speech rights. With their support for Bill C-9 and its amendments, our God-given, Constitutional right to express our beliefs freely in good faith, a right that we all have enjoyed up till now, is in jeopardy.”
Speakers addressed a recent amendment to the bill, including the removal of long-standing religious exemptions, and outlined why more than 60,000 Canadians have signed petitions urging Parliament to withdraw the legislation.
"Bill C-9 creates a divided Canada," said Baklinski. "Prime Minister Mark Carney, Minister of Justice Sean Fraser, on behalf of over 60,000 Canadians, we call on you to withdraw Bill C-9 in its entirety."
A recording of the full press conference is available below: