Liberals split online harms bill to postpone debate over policing hate speech
The Liberal government’s online harms bill is being split into two separate pieces of legislation in order to expedite the process of protecting children from online predators. Justice Minister Arif Virani made the announcement, emphasizing the importance of finding consensus among parliamentarians to prioritize the safety of children.
The original bill, Bill C-63, known as the Online Harms Act, was introduced in February with the intention of regulating harmful content online. This includes content that promotes bullying, encourages self-harm in children, hate speech, incitement of violence or terrorism, sexualization of children, revenge porn, and non-consensual sexual content.
However, progress on the bill has been stalled in Parliament due to a debate over unredacted documents related to a green technology foundation. This debate has prevented the House from moving forward with its usual business, leading to a decision to split the legislation into two separate bills.
The first bill will focus on protecting children from online predators, specifically addressing issues such as child sex predators and revenge porn. The second bill will amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and Criminal Code to address incitement of violence, terrorism, and hate speech.
Despite criticisms from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who believes that online harms should be handled by police rather than a new bureaucracy, the government is moving forward with its plans. Poilievre has indicated that a future Conservative government would repeal the legislation if it comes into power.
Groups like the B.C. Civil Liberties Association and OpenMedia have also expressed concerns about the potential impact of the bill on free speech in Canada. OpenMedia’s executive director, Matt Hatfield, welcomed the decision to separate the more controversial aspects of the Online Harms Act, describing it as a win for Canadians.
This is not the first time the Liberal government has faced challenges in passing online harms legislation. In 2021, Bill C-36, aimed at combating hate propaganda, hate crimes, and hate speech, faced criticism for potentially stifling free speech. The bill passed first reading but was ultimately dropped when the federal election was called.
The decision to split the online harms bill reflects the government’s commitment to protecting children online while navigating the complexities of free speech and online safety. As the legislation progresses through Parliament, amendments may be considered to address concerns and ensure the bill’s effectiveness in safeguarding children from online threats.
