MP Block Introduces Bill to Increase Penalties for Criminals Who Vandalize Places of Worship
Ottawa, ON – Kelly Block, Conservative Member of Parliament for Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, introduced Private Members’ Bill C-255 to increase the penalties for criminals convicted of mischief directed at places of worship.
Over the past ten years, there has been a massive increase in hate-motivated mischief incidents related to property used by identifiable groups in Canada. Statistics Canada data shows there were 66 incidents in 2015, rising to 277 incidents in 2024, an astonishing increase of over 300 per cent.
Bill C-255 would amend the Criminal Code to include compensation to the victim as a punishment for someone convicted of mischief directed at a place of worship. The Bill also broadens the scope of mischief directed at places of worship to include any mischief committed, not just hate-motivated mischief, as is currently the case.
“The cost of vandalism to a place of worship is borne by the victim of the crime, but Bill C-255 will shift this burden to the criminal,” said MP Block. “This Bill will make compensation to the victim part of every sentence for those convicted of mischief directed at places of worship.”
The Criminal Code already gives judges the discretion to impose restitution orders as a part of a sentence; this new legislation will make compensation part of every sentence. By setting a nominal minimum of $1,000, Bill C-255 also maintains the ability of judges to decide what is a reasonable and just amount of compensation.
Furthermore, while some of the punishments proposed in this legislation are new, there are strong similarities to the measures addressing vandalism of war memorials already in the Criminal Code.
“Mischief directed at places of worship is more than just vandalism,” MP Block concluded. “Whether or not it is committed with the intent to intimidate, worshippers are left living in fear. Victims of this crime should not have the added burden of having to pay for the damages.”