moved third reading of Bill C-305, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (mischief).

He said: Honourable senators, inspired by our beloved former colleague Senator Baker, I will be very brief.

Honourable senators, you’ll recall this bill extends and expands the protection against hate-based mischief against property and places that are primarily used by religious, ethnic, national and other enumerated groups. You will recall further that this bill, which was introduced in the other place, was passed unanimously there after being studied by the appropriate committee.

I simply want to thank Senators Frum and Fraser for their comments on this bill during second reading, which were supportive, and especially thank the members of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, and certainly the chair, Senator Runciman, and deputy chair, Senator Baker, who found the time, with some effort, to study this bill before we rose in June and reported back here positively.

This bill fills a gap in our current laws and protects Canadians from hate-based crimes against their institutions. I do hope that all honourable senators will join me in supporting it.