Liberal Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez told a House of Commons committee on Monday that incoming “online safety” legislation will address a two-year string of church burnings across Canada.

After initially claiming that his mandate doesn’t include faith-based communities, Rodriguez told Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu that proposed online hate laws will tackle the issue which has gone largely unaddressed by the federal Liberals.

“You said that faith based communities was not in your mandate letter. So I’m looking at the December 16, 2021 mandate letter that is out on the web for you,” said Gladu, pointing to the direct reference of faith-based communities.