Christian campaign groups have expressed concern that proposed Canadian legislation might make it illegal to share certain religious views – and even Bible verses.

Bill C-09, known as the Combatting Hate Act, has received strong support from the Liberal Party and Bloc Québécois, and has passed its third reading.

The contentious issue is a proposed clause within the legislation. It would overturn an existing part of Canada's Criminal Code, which provides an exemption for hate speech if something was said in “good faith” as part of a religious discussion, or is “an opinion based on a religious text”.

The removal of this provision could lead to something being deemed hate speech, even if someone is expressing a religious view.

The Conservatives have adamantly countered the clause to remove that exemption, arguing it is an "assault" on religious freedoms.

Last year, the President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Rev Pierre Goudreault, wrote to Prime Minister Mark Carney opposing the change.

The Government of Canada has said: “Rising antisemitism, Islamophobia, homophobia and transphobia have left too many people feeling unsafe in their own communities.”

They insist the Combatting Hate Act has been introduced “to better protect access to places of worship, as well as schools, community centres and other specified places, and to more clearly address and denounce hate-motivated crime.”

Justice Minister Sean Fraser said on Tuesday that the Bloc Québécois's proposed amendment to Bill C-9 would not “prevent a religious leader from reading their religious texts”.

Bill C-09 must now pass in the Senate, which returns from its recess on 14th April.