A collective group comprising advocacy organizations, health institutions, and a telecom company has united to urge the federal government to repropose a law safeguarding children against online exploitation. This coalition assembled in Ottawa on National Child Day to emphasize the necessity of swift government action in combatting online bullying and abuse. Andrea Chrysanthou, the chair of Children First Canada, expressed concern over the ongoing threats faced by children nationwide, stressing the urgency for legislative measures to prevent further harm.
In addition to Children First Canada, the coalition includes Telus, children’s hospitals like Sick Kids and CHEO, as well as child advocacy organizations such as the Child & Youth Advocacy Centres of Canada and the Amanda Todd Legacy Society. Dr. Margot Burnell, the president of the Canadian Medical Association, emphasized the critical importance of protecting children online, highlighting the significance of shaping a Canada that prioritizes their well-being.
The federal government initially introduced Bill C-36 in June 2021, aiming to address hate propaganda, hate crimes, and hate speech online. However, the bill lapsed during a subsequent federal election, leading to the introduction of Bill C-63, known as the Online Harms Act, in February of the following year. This legislation targeted online content that endangers children, promotes self-harm, sexualizes minors, and disseminates hate speech or violent material.
Despite efforts to address these issues, the bill faced criticism for potentially impeding free speech. Subsequently, the government decided to split Bill C-63 into two parts, focusing on child protection and hate speech separately. However, the bill failed to progress before the latest federal election was called, stalling legislative action once again.
The coalition has initiated a 40-day campaign called the Countdown for Kids to pressure the government into reintroducing the legislation before the end of the year. They advocate for the creation of an independent regulator to enforce compliance with online safety laws on digital platforms and the imposition of a “binding duty of care” to prevent and address online harms against children.
With a surge in reported incidents of online child sexual exploitation and cyberbullying, the coalition emphasizes the urgent need for legislative action to safeguard children online. Recent statistics indicate a significant increase in online child sexual exploitation cases reported to authorities, underscoring the pressing need for enhanced protection measures.
Justice Minister Sean Fraser disclosed that the government is considering whether to revise or reintroduce the Online Harms Act. The Liberals have promised to criminalize the distribution of non-consensual sexual deepfakes and introduce legislation to combat online sexploitation and extortion aimed at protecting children and empowering law enforcement to pursue offenders.