#canadian-government

The Canadian government has introduced Bill C-63, the Online Harms Act, a comprehensive legislative framework aimed at protecting users, particularly children, from harmful online content. The bill proposes creating a new Digital Safety Commission to enforce new rules for social media platforms, imposing a duty to act responsibly. It also includes significant amendments to the Criminal Code and the Canadian Human Rights Act, introducing a new hate crime offense with severe penalties. The legislation has ignited a fierce debate, with critics from civil liberties groups raising serious concerns about its potential impact on free expression.

The Canadian federal government has introduced new legislation to overhaul its environmental assessment process for major projects, directly responding to a Supreme Court of Canada ruling that found the previous Impact Assessment Act (IAA) largely unconstitutional. The proposed law aims to narrow the scope of federal oversight, focusing on effects within clear federal jurisdiction such as fisheries, migratory birds, and Indigenous rights. The move seeks to provide greater regulatory certainty for industries like mining and energy while navigating the complex constitutional division of powers between Ottawa and the provinces, which had challenged the original act.

The Government of Canada has unveiled a comprehensive $2.4 billion national strategy aimed at cementing the country's position as a global leader in artificial intelligence. The multi-faceted plan focuses on three core pillars: accelerating AI adoption across the economy, enhancing domestic research and talent, and establishing robust governance frameworks for responsible AI development. The funding will bolster Canada's computing infrastructure, support businesses in integrating AI technologies, and create a new AI Safety Institute to address potential risks, ensuring that innovation is balanced with public trust and security.