Canada’s House of Commons has taken a decisive step toward tightening laws against hate symbols, with a focus on flags and symbols associated with Khalistani extremist groups. On March 25, the House passed the Combatting Hate Act (Bill C-90) in its third reading with a vote of 186-137. The bill now moves to the Senate for review before it can receive royal assent and become law.

The legislation seeks to criminalize the public display of symbols linked to designated terrorist organizations, specifically when used to promote hatred or obstruct access to religious and cultural institutions. Indo-Canadian groups have welcomed the move as a long-awaited measure against the public glorification of Khalistani extremism and attacks on places of worship.

Bill C-90 introduces new offences under the Criminal Code, targeting the intentional promotion of hatred against identifiable groups. It also proposes tougher penalties for hate-motivated crimes and includes provisions to punish actions that intimidate or block people from entering schools, places of worship, or other cultural sites. Sources indicate that flags linked to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), both designated terrorist groups in Canada and India, could face legal restrictions under the law.

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Canada’s Justice Minister, Sean Fraser, who sponsored the bill, emphasized that the legislation is designed to target harmful conduct rather than restrict legitimate religious expression. Authorities are expected to gain clearer and stronger legal tools to prevent public promotion of terrorist symbols, potentially enhancing safety for Indian-origin families and other communities affected by hate-driven actions.

For years, members of the Indo-Canadian community have raised concerns about Khalistani extremist activities in Canada, particularly the public display of symbols and flags linked to the separatist movement. The bill is seen as addressing these long-standing worries and providing a legal framework to confront hate-related incidents more effectively.

India-Canada relations have faced strains since 2023 following the assassination of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Observers suggest that the Combatting Hate Act, once enacted, could help improve bilateral relations, as New Delhi has repeatedly expressed concern over Canada allegedly providing a haven for extremist elements involved in anti-India activities.

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