Madam Speaker, to follow up on the concern articulated by the shadow minister, it was open for the government to lean on the subsequent definition in Whatcott, where the Supreme Court defined “hatred”. I cannot help but notice that the words “extreme manifestations” are missing from the proposed definition in Bill C-9.
To add to that, I have a further concern that I hope the Attorney General can address for us. The legislation seeks to remove the provincial Attorney General's consent to the laying of hate charges, which may in itself be explainable. However, the Attorney General's consent would also catch private prosecutions, which we know are a process where informants lay charges before a provincial magistrate. The consent there would also not be required, opening the process to vexatious litigants. I wonder if the Attorney General is concerned about that.