Thank you, Chair.
Mr. Sikkema, we have seen far too many examples across Canadian communities, including Jewish, Muslim and queer Canadians, of people facing threats to their safety and security. Bill C-9 represents a strong national standard that hate has no place here in Canada, and that our laws must give law enforcement the clear tools to act when it does occur.
Marginalized groups and 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians continue to face some of the highest rates of hate-motivated incidents in this country. Would you agree that, by maintaining a clear, narrowly defined legal standard for hate, Bill C-9 helps ensure that these communities are protected without infringing on legitimate moral or religious expression?