Rebel News Podcast – Episode Summary

Podcast: Rebel News Podcast
Episode: EZRA LEVANT | Andrew Lawton breaks down Bill C-9's threat to religious freedom and free speech
Date: December 27, 2025
Guests: Andrew Lawton (MP, former journalist)
Host: Ezra Levant

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on a critical analysis of Bill C-9, Canadian federal legislation that has sparked controversy for its perceived threat to religious freedom and free speech. Ezra Levant interviews Andrew Lawton—former journalist and newly elected Conservative Member of Parliament for Elgin—St. Thomas—London South—about his battles in Parliament, reactions from across the political aisle, and the deeper implications of Bill C-9 for Canadians’ fundamental liberties.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Andrew Lawton’s Transition and Mission in Parliament

• Background: Lawton, well-known for his advocacy of civil liberties as a journalist, entered Parliament to “make Canada a freer country.”
  • Quote: “In my maiden speech to the House of Commons, I actually said that the reason I went to Ottawa was to make Canada a freer country.” (Andrew Lawton, 02:16)
• Reception in Parliament: Lawton describes widespread support from Conservative colleagues for his civil liberties focus, particularly regarding free speech and the challenge posed by Bill C-9.

The Broad Impact and Controversy of Bill C-9

• Government’s Motive: Both Levant and Lawton argue that Bill C-9 is a government attempt to be seen as acting against hate, particularly anti-Semitism, without enforcing existing laws.
  • Quote: "Bill C9 is the Liberal government attempting to deflect responsibility for how it has allowed anti-Semitic hate to fester over the last two plus years.” (Andrew Lawton, 15:06)
• Existing Legal Tools Ignored: Lawton emphasizes that current laws addressing threats and hate crimes are not being enforced, and the new bill instead expands government censorship powers.
• Expansion Beyond Hate Speech: Lawton points out that C-9 “lowers the threshold” for what is considered hate speech legally, and removes religious exemptions, potentially criminalizing faith-based scripture readings or sermons.
• Cross-Sectional Criticism: Both the right and left—religious and secular organizations—have spoken against C-9, indicating its broad unpopularity.
  • Quote: “It’s been condemned by Christians, Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, Hindus, organizations on all sides of the political spectrum.” (Andrew Lawton, 08:42)

The Threat to Religious Freedom

• Removal of Religious Defense: The most controversial element of C-9 is its removal of long-standing protections in hate speech law for good-faith expressions of religious belief.
  • Lawton: “The liberal government has made an agreement with La Quebecois and they passed an amendment... that will remove long standing religious freedom protections that have prevented people who quote scriptures the government finds offensive from being criminally prosecuted.” (16:15)
• Selective Enforcement Fears: Levant predicts selective application of the law against Christians and conservative religious figures, as seen in past legal cases (e.g., Trinity Western University accreditation battle).
  • Quote: “I'm just going to go on record making a prediction that this law will be used against Christian street pastors, not against these Hamas thugs who are threatening Jews every Sunday in my neighborhood.” (Ezra Levant, 19:56)

The Role of Tech Companies & Government-Driven Censorship

• State vs. Platform Censorship: Lawton explains how tech companies, under government pressure, become de facto censors. Legislation like the Online News Act and proposed Online Harms Act coerce platforms into taking action, even if government does not explicitly ban the content.
  • Quote: “You end up with censorship that is technically being perpetrated by tech companies. But really your beef is with the government.” (Andrew Lawton, 11:51)
• Lack of Remedy: Victims of de-platforming find they cannot hold either the government or platforms accountable, since both evade direct responsibility.

Parliamentary Battle Over C-9

• Process Concerns: The Liberal government attempted to fast-track C-9 and limit witness testimony. Conservatives, led by Lawton, pushed to slow down its passage and alert the public to the loss of religious defense.
• Public Response: Lawton highlights a petition to protect religious freedoms, receiving massive cross-faith support.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Standing for Civil Liberties in Parliament:

  • “A big part of my decision [to run] was can I continue to be a champion and an advocate for the things that I've always cared about…” (Andrew Lawton, 02:07)

• On the Need for Enforcing Existing Laws:

  • “Why are you making another law other than avoiding doing the hard work? …I think the whole premise of the law is a distraction from the fact that police and prosecutors aren't enforcing the current laws.” (Ezra Levant, 14:40)

• On the Threat Faced by Faith Communities:

  • “[C-9] is a change that will target Christians, it will target Jews, it will target Muslims… This is not protecting anyone from hate. You are not protecting any community from hate if you're opening them up to prosecution.” (Andrew Lawton, 16:42)

• Liberal Response to Critics:

  • “There’s a difference between saying you have a point of view or reading scripture about same-sex marriage and actually promoting hate, vilifying, or inciting violence against a particular group.” (Justice Minister Sean Fraser, 17:43)

• On Keeping Freedoms for All:

  • “Only if we protect these liberties for all can we protect them for anyone.” (Andrew Lawton, 26:41)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Andrew Lawton’s Mission & Maiden Speech – [02:07] to [04:47]
• Parliamentary Support & Opposition – [05:04] to [09:06]
• Censorship and the Role of Tech Companies – [09:06] to [12:55]
• Case Study: Law Not Enforced on Hate Crimes – [12:55] to [15:05]
• How Bill C-9 Changes the Law & Threatens Religious Freedom – [15:05] to [17:12]
• Debate on Removing Religious Defense & Good Faith – [18:54] to [23:13]
• Case History: Trinity Western University – [24:02] to [26:13]
• Potential for Selective Enforcement & Future Warnings – [26:13] to [27:33]
• Online Harms Act and C-9’s Scope Online – [27:33] to [33:20]
• Conservative Resistance and Public Mobilization – [33:20] to [34:26]

Summary Insights

• The episode is a clarion call to defend free speech and religious liberty in Canada amid what the hosts see as encroaching government censorship disguised as anti-hate measures.
• Bill C-9 is depicted as a dangerous overreach—responding to anti-Semitic violence and harassment by creating new restrictions that may do more harm to fundamental freedoms than to actual hate crime offenders.
• Both hosts accuse the government of using new laws as a substitute for enforcing existing ones and warn that such legislation will have unintended (or even politically motivated) chilling effects on faith communities and dissenting voices.
• Lawton repeatedly calls for multi-partisan vigilance, pointing out that empowering any government to decide what constitutes permissible speech is ultimately a threat to all sides.

For further updates from Andrew Lawton:

• Website: andrewlaughton.ca
• Social: X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, YouTube