Mr. Speaker, I care deeply what communities of faith think. I have had the opportunity to engage not just with members of the House and all parties who care deeply about the issue, but directly with organizations who represent people who are expressing very real concerns.
What I heard when we had an opportunity to dig into those concerns was that there were some reservations about the removal of the religious exemption, but there was a path forward. In fact, there was a flaw in the Conservative position that many of the stakeholders raised with me, because what they are advocating for is to recognize that the ordinary practice of faith could constitute the wilful promotion of hate, but a defence should accrue. I disagree with this approach, by the way.
We believe that we should actually define hate to make clear that the ordinary practice of faith is never a hate crime to begin with. In addition to that changed definition, which the Conservatives were seemingly willing to work with us on before they continued their filibuster, there are additional protections in the charter that will give Canadians faith that they will be able to practise their faith freely, including the reading of religious texts.
Everyone in this House should know clearly that the government position is to defend the ability of Canadians to practise their faith.