An Act to amend the Criminal Code (mischief — religious property)

Bill C-255 was a Conservative Private Member's Bill amending the Criminal Code (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46) to strengthen the section 430(4.1) offence of mischief related to property used for religious worship (synagogues, churches, mosques, temples, gurdwaras). Brought after Statistics Canada reported a 71-percent year-over-year increase in police-reported hate crimes in 2021 versus 2020 (3,360 versus 1,950), with religiously motivated incidents growing particularly fast targeting Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh Canadians. The 2023 Senate Anti-Racism Strategy report cited the need for stronger Criminal Code protections. The bill would have raised maximum penalties under section 430(4.1) from 10 to 14 years for indictable offences.