Good evening, readers.

It doesn’t appear as if we’re any closer to breaking the impasse over Bill C-9.

The Liberals on Monday proposed changes to their anti-hate bill aimed at limiting the scope of a contentious amendment removing the religious beliefs exemption for the crime of inciting hate.

But it doesn’t appear as it if will be enough to win over skeptical Conservatives, who have warned that the Liberals are still not addressing their concerns about the criminalization of religious speech.

Bill C-9 has been stuck at the justice committee for months after the Liberals signalled support for the Bloc Quebecois amendment removing the exemption. The Conservatives have effectively filibustered the bill by refusing to stop debate and moving multiple points of order.

As the committee resumed clause-by-clause review on Monday, Liberal MP Patricia Lattanzio moved an amendment that she said would clarify that the legislation doesn’t apply to “worship, sermons, prayer, religious education, peaceful debate, or even the good faith of reading and discussion of religious texts.”

Conservative MP Andrew Lawton questioned why the amendment was necessary if by Lattanzio’s own admission it was only maintaining the “status quo.”

He said he appreciated that the Liberals are talking to faith communities about concerns over criminalizing religious speech but these latest changes only claim that “none of this was at issue in the first place.”

Marco Vigliotti has more.

Speaking of legislation, parliamentarians appear to have made a breakthrough with the government’s sprawling budget implementation bill.

During clause-by-clause review at committee on Monday, a controversial exemption provision has been amended, following a push from the opposition. 

That clause proposed to amend the Red Tape Reduction Act to allow ministers to temporarily exempt people or businesses from all laws, except the Criminal Code, to “encourage innovation, competitiveness, or economic growth.” 

The idea is to create a ‘regulatory sandbox’ where businesses can test out innovative products, services and models without immediately meeting all regulatory requirements, as laws often take time to keep pace with emerging technologies.

Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer recently said his party would help the Liberals pass the bill if they agreed to amendments on the exception clause.

Several Liberal cabinet members defended the new powers, with Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne saying it aligns with legislation in other G7 jurisdictions. 

But on Monday, Liberal MP Carlos Leitão said the government heard the concerns over the exemption clause, and is willing to support the guardrails proposed by the Conservatives. 

Aya Dufour has more.

Meanwhile, NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice said he’s considering leaving Ottawa to run in for Québec solidaire (QS) in this year’s provincial election.

Boulerice is reportedly considering running in Gouin, a riding currently held by the party. That was a problem because the QS passed a resolution only allowing women or non-binary to run for the party in seats it currently holds.

But that has changed. The QS recently passed an exception to its rules allowing a man to run in the Gouin riding.

Boulerice told reporters at the House on Monday that he’s open to the idea.

“It’s a serious possibility. So, all options are still open. I think it’s worth considering. I have a mandate from the people of Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie. I’ve been a federal MP for 15 years,” he said, as reported by La Presse Canadienne.

When asked if he supported Quebec independence, he pointed out that he had voted Yes in 1995.

“I think it’s up to the people of Quebec to decide,” he said.

In Other Headlines

Internationally

Twenty-five members of the Mexican National Guard were left dead in six separate attacks after special forces killed the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the country’s security secretary said Monday as much of Mexico feared more violence.

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, called “El Mencho,” was the boss of one of the fastest-growing criminal networks in Mexico, known for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine to the United States and staging brazen attacks against government officials who challenged the cartel. The organization responded to his death by blocking roads and setting fire to vehicles.

Oseguera Cervantes died after a shootout in his home state of Jalisco as the Mexican military attempted to capture him. Mexican Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla said Monday that authorities had followed one of Oseguera Cervantes’ romantic partners to his hideout in Tapalpa.

In all, at least 73 people were dead, according to a body count taken by security officials after the operation and the ensuing violence. That figure includes security forces, suspected cartel members and others.

AP reports.

British police on Monday arrested Peter Mandelson, a former U.K. ambassador to the United States, in a misconduct probe stemming from his ties with Jeffrey Epstein. It came days after a friendship with Epstein landed the former Prince Andrew in police custody.

The arrest occurred as revelations continue from the trove of more than 3 million pages of Epstein-related documents released by the U.S. Justice Department.

London’s Metropolitan Police force said “officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office” at an address in north London. He was taken to a police station for questioning.

AP has this one too.

In Other International Headlines

The Kicker

Lost in the chaos and heartbreak of the Canadian men’s hockey defeat in the Olympic gold medal game on Sunday was an odd question.

Why on earth was the director of the FBI, Kash Patel, partying with the American team after the game?

AP has this piece on why the move is raising eyebrows in Washington.

Have a great night!