An Act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda), popularly known as Bill C-250, its title during the second session of the 37th Canadian parliament in which it was passed, was a controversial piece of Canadian legislation passed by the House of Commons on September 17, 2003. The act added penalties to the Criminal Code of Canada for inciting the hatred of or encouraging the genocide of people on the basis of sexual orientation. Prior to this amendment, the section protected only the following: race, religion, ethnic origin, and colour, gender and disability.