The Parti Quebecois is criticizing proposed hate speech legislation as being too vague and lacking concrete solutions.
Agnes Maltais, the opposition critic for secular values, said that some of the measures in Bill 59 are worthwhile, but that others do an inadequate task of defining the problem.
In particular Maltais criticized the lack of a definition of hate speech in the bill, and that it gives substantial power to the Human Rights Commission to define, investigate, and punish hate speech.
At public hearings on the hate speech legislation last week, Maltais used speeches by Premier Philippe Couillard, such as when he said "I hate separatists," as examples of speech that could be considered hateful.
Instead, Maltais said the legislation needs to include tools and funding for authorities to combat those influenced by hate speech.
"What we were asking were tools for [school boards] to act when there is radicalization of young people. There's no answer to that in the bill," said Maltais.
The PQ critic said if Bill 59 were split her party would support the measures against forced marriage and similar issues.
Heading into a Liberal cabinet meeting on Wednesday morning, Justice Minister Stephanie Vallee said she would not do that.
