Oklahoma Senator Jett Opposed Canadian Hate Act

The state senator visited Ottawa to voice concerns regarding how new Canadian legislation affects religious freedoms.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Christianity

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a church steeple, representing the institutional focus on religious liberty. — Oklahoma State Senator Shane Jett traveled to Ottawa to voice his opposition to Canada's Combatting Hate Act, citing concerns over religious freedom. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should government hate speech laws include specific protections for good-faith religious expression?

Oklahoma State Senator Shane Jett traveled to Canada to protest the Combatting Hate Act, known as Bill C-9. He also sent a letter to Canadian members of Parliament expressing his opposition to the legislation.

Why it matters

Jett argues that the passage of Bill C-9 erodes religious liberties by removing the good-faith religious opinion defence from the Criminal Code, potentially restricting the teaching of views on marriage and sexuality.

Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, officially received royal assent on June 18, 2026. The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal recently ordered a $750,000 fine in a case involving a former trustee and a teachers' association.

The players

Shane Jett

He is a current member of the Oklahoma State Senate.

Barry Neufeld

He is a former trustee who was involved in a legal case with the Chilliwack Teachers' Association.

The details

Senator Jett visited the Capital City Bikers' Church in Ottawa to speak at an event titled Are Canadian Christians Safe?. Jett contends that current Canadian government policies, including the replacement of faith-specific prayers with secular reflections in the military, signal a decline in religious freedom.

June 18, 2026: Bill C-9 received royal assent.
October 2, 2026: Shane Jett sent a letter to Canadian members of Parliament.
October 5, 2026: Shane Jett visited Ottawa to participate in a religious freedom event.

Culture Shift

The introduction of the Combatting Hate Act (Bill C-9) represents a major legislative pivot that has redefined the legal landscape for religious expression in Canada. This event follows a pattern of heightened tension between secular public policies and traditional religious advocacy groups.

The visit highlights growing international interest in how Canadian religious laws influence the broader discourse on civil liberties. Residents may note how this cross-border advocacy reflects the ongoing debate regarding the intersection of personal faith and public policy.

The takeaway

The intersection of international politics and domestic religious law continues to draw attention from state-level officials in the United States. Observers should watch how the removal of traditional religious defences affects future judicial rulings across North America.