#legislation

The Canadian federal government's introduction of Bill C-63, the Online Harms Act, has ignited a fierce national debate. Aimed at protecting children and curbing harmful content like hate speech and non-consensual intimate images, the legislation proposes a new regulatory framework for online platforms. It would establish a Digital Safety Commission with significant enforcement powers, including the ability to levy substantial fines. However, critics from civil liberties organizations, tech experts, and opposition parties argue its broad definitions and new criminal provisions could severely chill free expression and lead to government overreach.

The Canadian federal government's Online Harms Act, known as Bill C-63, aims to create a safer digital environment by compelling online platforms to remove harmful content, particularly material victimizing children and promoting hate. The legislation proposes a new Digital Safety Commission with significant enforcement powers, including the ability to levy substantial fines. However, the bill has ignited a fierce debate, with critics from civil liberties groups and legal experts raising serious concerns about its broad definitions, potential for overreach, and the chilling effect it could have on freedom of expression in Canada.

The Canadian federal government's Bill C-63, the Online Harms Act, aims to create a safer digital environment by holding online platforms accountable for harmful content. The proposed legislation would establish a new Digital Safety Commission, introduce a regulatory framework for platforms, and create new criminal offenses, including life imprisonment for advocating genocide. However, the bill has ignited a fierce debate, with critics from civil liberties groups and tech experts raising significant concerns about its potential impact on free speech, privacy, and the risk of over-censorship, making its legislative journey highly contentious.

The Canadian federal government's proposed Online Harms Act, Bill C-63, aims to create a safer online environment by compelling digital platforms to address harmful content. The legislation seeks to protect children from sexual exploitation and cyberbullying while combating hate speech and content that incites violence or terrorism. However, the bill has ignited a fierce debate, with critics raising significant concerns about its potential impact on freedom of expression, the vagueness of its definitions, and the broad powers granted to a new Digital Safety Commission. The legislation represents a critical juncture for Canada's digital policy.

The federal government has introduced new legislation to amend the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), responding directly to a Supreme Court of Canada advisory opinion that found the original law largely unconstitutional. The proposed changes aim to narrow the scope of federal environmental reviews, focusing on effects within federal jurisdiction to avoid encroaching on provincial powers over resource development. This move seeks to provide clarity and certainty for major projects, but it reopens debate among provinces, industry stakeholders, and environmental groups over the appropriate balance between economic development and environmental protection.

The federal government has tabled new legislation, the Major Projects Review Act, to replace the Impact Assessment Act (IAA) after the Supreme Court of Canada found the latter largely unconstitutional. The proposed law aims to create a constitutionally sound and efficient review process for major resource and infrastructure projects. It focuses on effects within federal jurisdiction, seeking to provide clarity for industry and investors while upholding environmental standards and Indigenous consultation rights. The move comes amid ongoing debate over federal authority, with provinces and industry groups cautiously awaiting the bill's full details and implementation.