The Debate on Online Harms Bill: Clash over Censorship vs Protecting Children

September 23, 2024 TruthUSA

During the second reading of the Online Harms Act in the House of Commons, Liberals emphasized the bill’s aim to protect children and victims of sexual exploitation, while Conservatives expressed concerns about potential censorship and disproportionate penalties for crimes.

Justice Minister Arif Virani defended the legislation, stating that it would bring current laws from the physical world into the online realm. He highlighted support for the bill from various sectors, including The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, which advocated for stricter penalties against hate propaganda.

On the other hand, Conservative MP Larry Brock criticized Bill C-63 for forcing Canadians to choose between safety and free expression, labeling it as a measure that silences citizens under the guise of security.

Bill C-63 aims to amend the Canadian Criminal Code and Canadian Human Rights Act to regulate online content related to sexual exploitation, bullying, deepfakes, and hateful conduct. It also proposes the establishment of a Digital Safety Commission and other bodies to ensure compliance with the new rules by digital platforms.

If passed, the legislation would impact social media services, live-streaming platforms, and adult content services with user-generated content. However, private communications such as emails and direct messages on social media would not fall under its scope.

‘Surprised’ By Conservative Opposition to Bill

Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux expressed surprise at the Conservative MPs’ opposition to a bill that addresses issues like non-consensual sharing of intimate images, deep fake technology, and online content that sexually exploits children or revictimizes survivors.

Lamoureux referenced Statistics Canada data showing a high number of online sexual offences against children and child pornography incidents, emphasizing the importance of legislation that addresses these issues.

‘Vague Regulatory Framework’

Conservative MP Brock raised concerns about the new provision in Bill C-63 regarding offences motivated by hatred, which he argued could lead to disproportionate sentencing even for minor infractions. He criticized the bill’s regulatory framework for being vague and potentially allowing excessive bureaucratic oversight.

Additionally, Brock highlighted the reinstatement of Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act, which he claimed could lead to government censorship of speech without proper legal proceedings.

Conservative MP Frank Caputo criticized the Liberal government’s handling of child pornography cases and expressed worries about the Online Harms Act creating a parallel process for addressing such crimes.

NDP MP Don Davies echoed concerns about the broad authority granted to the Digital Safety Commission under the bill, warning of potential threats to privacy rights.

Brock responded by suggesting a lack of enforcement of existing hate speech laws and highlighted a Private Member’s Bill C-412 as an alternative with stronger provisions against online harassment.

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