“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”

2 Cor. 4:5 (ESV) 

As we approach 2026 and all it holds, we do so with confidence in God’s goodness and faithfulness, knowing that He is at work in and through us. We are servants for Jesus’ sake, seeking to love our neighbour and improve the welfare of our country.  

Here are five key bills and issues to watch and to engage in 2026:

Bill C-9, hate crimes and religious expression 

Bill C-9 is a new hate crimes bill introduced primarily at the request of Jewish communities after an alarming increase of antisemitism in Canada. It adds a definition of hatred and four new hate crime offences to the Criminal Code. A parliamentary committee studying Bill C-9 has voted to change the bill so that it also removes an existing protection for religious expression. 

The ‘good faith’ religious belief defence is one of four defences to the charge of wilfully promoting hatred. The defence has been used very few times and never successfully, but it is an important protection for minority religious groups whose beliefs don’t align with the majority. It ensures that the Criminal Code’s anti-hate provisions do not capture sincerely-held religious views expressed in good faith.   

The Justice Committee will continue its review of Bill C-9 after the House of Commons resumes on January 26. After the committee is finished, the bill will return to the House of Commons for debate and votes, and then move on to the Senate. The EFC has wording and tips for communicating with your local MP about the bill. 

Bill C-218, stopping the expansion of MAiD for mental illness alone 

A law that passed in 2021 allowed euthanasia and assisted suicide for mental illness alone, but with a delay built-in before it would take effect. This expansion will happen in March 2027, unless a bill is passed to stop it.

A bill has been introduced that would stop the expansion of MAiD when mental illness is a person’s only underlying medical condition. Bill C-218 is a private member’s bill, introduced by an individual MP. We believe this bill can pass, but it will need broad public support.  

MPs debated Bill C-218 for an hour in early December. It will receive another hour of debate in late February, with a vote likely in early March to determine whether it will continue in the parliamentary process or be defeated. Now is an important time to ask your MP to support Bill C-218. See the EFC’s resources on Bill C-218. 

Bill C-16, protecting children from online exploitation 

Canada has significant gaps in its protection of children from online exploitation.  

Some legislative protections are proposed in Bill C-16, the Protecting Victims Act, which was introduced on December 9, 2025. Among its provisions, this bill would make it illegal to distribute deepfake computer-generated nude images without a person’s consent, or to threaten to distribute such images. It would respond to the rise in online sextortion targeting young people by criminalizing threatening to distribute child sexual abuse images, and strengthen and restore mandatory minimum sentences for a range of child sexual offences. 

MAiD-free spaces 

This spring, a BC court will consider the ability of a Christian hospital to offer care that is consistent with its religious beliefs. The EFC is an intervener in this case and will focus on the ability of Christian institutions to provide services without being compelled to compromise their beliefs. This case will determine whether faith-based facilities are able to be MAiD-free spaces. 

Religious freedom court case

In February, the EFC will be in a Quebec court as part of a coalition arguing in support of religious freedom. A provincial cabinet minister cancelled a rental agreement with Harvest Ministries, stating that the group’s pro-life beliefs were contrary to the “fundamental principles” of the state. The coalition will argue religious groups should have equal access to public spaces and not be denied because of their beliefs.