C-257An Act to amend the Criminal Code (promotion of terrorist activity or group)
Private member's bill, introduced in the House of Commons on November 17, 2025
- Status
- At second reading in the House of Commons since November 17, 2025
What it does
Creates a Criminal Code offence for wilfully promoting a terrorist activity or terrorist group, with a maximum penalty of five years.
What it does
- Creates an indictable offence for anyone who, by communicating statements, wilfully promotes a terrorist activity, a terrorist group, or any activity of a terrorist group.
- Sets the maximum penalty for this offence at five years in prison.
- Says the offence can apply even if the statements do not specifically mention a terrorist activity or do not actually encourage anyone to take part.
- Gives defences if the statements were true, were made in good faith on a religious subject, were on a matter of public interest believed to be true, or were made in good faith to point out material for removal.
- Requires any sentence for this offence, other than life imprisonment, to be served after the sentences for the listed terrorism offences.
- Adds the new offence to Criminal Code definitions used for terrorism offences and for section 183.
Who it affects
- People who communicate statements
- People charged with terrorism offences
- Courts
- Prosecutors
Topics
Background
The bill amends the Criminal Code. It adds a new section 83.171 and changes related definitions and sentencing rules.
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
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: Outside the Order of Precedence. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.