Holocaust denial is to be outlawed in Canada, in a further effort to stamp out rising antisemitism.

The federal government is set to make it a criminal offence to make a statement denying the Holocaust took place or condoning or downplaying the killing of Jews by the Nazi regime, except in a private conversation.

Ministers plan to use a bill enacting the budget to swiftly change the Criminal Code, budget documents show.

The move to outlaw Holocaust denial comes as MPs and anti-hate groups warn about the rise of white-supremacism and antisemitism in Canada.

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Canada will join a string of European countries, including Germany, Greece, France, Belgium and the Czech Republic, which have already prohibited Holocaust denial.

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The budget earmarked $5.6 million over five years to support Cotler’s office.

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said “there is no place for antisemitism and Holocaust denial in Canada.”

“That’s why we’ve pledged to prohibit the wilful promotion of antisemitism through condoning, denying or downplaying the Holocaust,” Mendicino added. {snip}

The government move to change the law follows the introduction by Saskatoon Tory MP Kevin Waugh of a private member’s bill prohibiting Holocaust denial earlier this year.

Waugh said the government proposal was “word for word” the same as in his bill and he was surprised to see it in the budget.

But the Conservative MP said having the government push through the law was a “win for everybody.”

“There is no place for racism in this country,” he said.

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The budget does not say what the penalty would be for a person convicted of Holocaust denial. Waugh’s bill proposes up to two years in prison.

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