Liberals taking ‘fresh’ look at online harms bill, says Justice Minister Sean Fraser

The federal government is gearing up to tackle online harms legislation once again, with Justice Minister Sean Fraser leading the charge. In an interview with The Canadian Press, Fraser revealed that the government plans to take a “fresh” look at the Online Harms Act over the summer, but the exact details of the bill are still up in the air.

This would mark the Liberals’ third attempt to pass legislation aimed at addressing harmful behavior online. The previous version of the Online Harms Act was introduced in 2024 but failed to pass. Fraser emphasized that the upcoming legislative reforms will likely include measures to combat deepfakes and child exploitation.

One of the key promises made by the Liberals in their election platform was to criminalize the distribution of non-consensual sexual deepfakes. Additionally, they pledged to introduce a bill focused on protecting children from online sexploitation and extortion, while also equipping law enforcement with the necessary tools to combat these crimes.

Fraser highlighted the significant impact of artificial intelligence on the discussions surrounding online harms legislation. The proliferation of generative AI has transformed both the online landscape and everyday life since the bill was first introduced. Fraser emphasized the need for policy to evolve in response to these technological advancements.

The Justice Minister also spoke about collaborating with other ministers, particularly Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault and Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon. While the exact division of responsibilities is yet to be determined, Fraser anticipates significant engagement with his colleagues on this critical issue.

The original Online Harms Act faced criticism for its provision requiring platforms to remove offending content within 24 hours, which some feared would infringe on free expression. Fraser’s predecessor, Arif Virani, introduced amendments in 2024 to address these concerns, focusing on content related to child sexual victimization and deepfakes.

Fraser emphasized the importance of engaging with stakeholders to ensure broad public support for the legislation. He expressed a willingness to consider modifications to existing versions of the bill or to start afresh based on expert advice on keeping children safe online.

While no specific timeline has been set for introducing the new legislation, Fraser hinted that some online harms measures could be included in a broader crime bill expected in the fall. He suggested that provisions related to criminal activity online could be incorporated into one piece of legislation, with a more comprehensive set of reforms to follow at a later date.

Overall, the government is committed to addressing online harms through a thoughtful and collaborative approach, with a focus on safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society in the digital age.