C-255An Act to amend the Criminal Code (mischief — religious property)
Private member's bill, introduced in the House of Commons on November 6, 2025
- Status
- At second reading in the House of Commons since November 6, 2025
What it does
Raises Criminal Code penalties for mischief involving buildings, objects or cemeteries used for religious worship.
What it does
- Adds a new Criminal Code rule for mischief done to buildings or parts of buildings mainly used for religious worship, related worship objects, and cemeteries.
- Requires at least $1,000 paid to the property owner for a first offence.
- Requires at least $1,000 and 14 days in jail for a second offence, and at least $1,000 and 30 days in jail for later offences.
- Allows up to 10 years in prison if the offence is prosecuted by indictment, or up to two years less a day if it is dealt with by summary conviction.
Who it affects
- Religious institutions
- Congregations
- Cemetery operators
- Property owners
- People charged with mischief
Background
The bill amends section 430 of the Criminal Code. Its drafters say it would increase the punishment for mischief relating to religious property.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Current stage. Now here
Committee
Not reached.
Report stage
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Senate
First reading
Not reached.
Second reading
Not reached.
Committee
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
Introduced by an MP who is not a minister. These bills compete in a lottery for debate time, and most do not become law. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
No recorded votes yet
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
LiberalKevin Lamoureux· October 5, 2026
“Right at the outset, let me make it very clear that, from my understanding, restitution payments exist in law and can be paid to victims. After listening to the member opposite, I note that she seems to be very aware of that.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeKelly Block· October 5, 2026
“I am very pleased to be able to rise today and speak to Bill C-255, the protecting Canada's places of worship act. Over the past three years, the Holy Rosary Church in Edmonton, Alberta, was the target of three acts of vandalism.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocRhéal Fortin· October 5, 2026
“To no one's great surprise, the Bloc Québécois will be voting against this bill, which, I would add, is unnecessary, given that section 430 of the Criminal Code already includes sentencing provisions for mischief. 1) that deal with mischief motivated by hate.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: At second reading in the House of Commons. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.