Holocaust denial is to be outlawed in Canada

Holocaust denial will be illegal in Canada, as part of an antisemitic crackdown.

The federal government plans to make it illegal to deny the Holocaust or to condone or diminish the Nazi regime’s murder of Jews, save in private conversations.

Budget papers reveal ministers want to amend the Criminal Code quickly via a budget bill.
MPs and anti-hate organisations have been warning about the growth of white supremacy and antisemitism in Canada.

According to the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs’ vice-president Richard Marceau, Jewish Canadians are the target of 62% of all religiously motivated hate crimes. “Antisemitism is on the rise.”

This means Canada will join a growing list of European nations that already criminalise Holocaust denial.

Six million Jews, as well as other groups like Roma, were brutally murdered throughout Nazi-occupied Europe.
“Holocaust denial and distortion is an antisemitic libel to cover up the darkest crime in history,” said Irwin Cotler, the prime minister’s special envoy on Holocaust commemoration and antisemitism.

A five-year budget for Cotler’s office was approved.

“Antisemitism and Holocaust denial have no place in Canada,” added Minister Mendicino.

We have vowed to stop the deliberate propagation of antisemitism by ignoring or downplaying the Holocaust,” Mendicino said. “The Holocaust was a horrible period in human history. We must remember it, fight modern antisemitism, and declare “never again.””

The government’s action comes after Saskatoon Tory MP Kevin Waugh introduced a private member’s bill banning Holocaust denial earlier this year.

Waugh claimed the budget plan matched “word by word” his measure and he was startled.

But the Conservative MP claimed the bill was a “win for everyone.”

“Racism has no place in our nation.”

Waugh said he would not withdraw his measure, which will be debated in the Commons at the end of April.

He stated he wants the Criminal Code reform adopted as quickly as possible.

The budget does not specify the punishment for Holocaust denial. Waugh’s bill suggests up to two years.

As part of their confidence and supply deal with the Liberals, the NDP has announced it would support the budget.

Waugh’s measure to outlaw denying the Holocaust in remarks will be made unnecessary if the budget bill is revised first.

The Justice Department did not reply to a request for comment.

The budget allocated almost $70 million to Jewish communal programmes.

$2.5 million for the Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre in Toronto.

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