From Global News–The Liberal government has introduced their highly anticipated Online Harms Act, which proposes sweeping reforms focused on protecting children online, creating internet complaint mechanisms, and potentially steep new penalties for hate crimes.
After the Liberals first promised to introduce online harms legislation 100 days after re-forming government in the 2021 election, Justice Minister Arif Virani on Monday tabled Bill C-63, the Online Harms Act, after significant reworking and consultation.
“All of us expect to be safe in our homes, in our neighbourhoods and in our communities,” Virani said at a press conference after tabling the legislation. “We should be able to expect the same kind of safety in our online communities.
“We have rigorous safety standards for things like my son’s Lego at home, but somehow none for the most dangerous toy not just in my home, but every Canadian home: the screen that is in front of our children’s faces.”