Liberals taking ‘fresh' look at online harms bill, justice minister says
OTTAWA — Justice Minister Sean Fraser says the federal government plans to take a 'fresh' look at its online harms legislation over the summer but it's not clear yet exactly what the bill will look like when it is reintroduced.
It would be the Liberals third attempt to pass legislation to address harmful behaviour online.
Fraser told The Canadian Press in an interview that the government hasn't decided whether to rewrite or simply reintroduce the Online Harms Act, which was introduced in 2024 but did not pass.
He said Canadians can expect measures addressing deepfakes and child exploitation 'to be included in legislative reforms coming up in the near future.'
In their election platform, the Liberals promised to make the distribution of non-consensual sexual deepfakes a criminal offence. They also pledged to introduce a bill to protect children from online sexploitation and extortion, and to give law enforcement and prosecutors additional tools to pursue those crimes.
Fraser said the growth of artificial intelligence is influencing the discussions.
The spread of generative AI has changed both the online space and everyday life since the federal government first introduced the legislation.
'We will have that in mind as we revisit the specifics of online harms legislation,' he added. 'The world changes and governments would be remiss if they didn't recognize that policy needs to shift.'
Online harms legislation was first proposed by then-heritage minister Steven Guilbeault in 2021, but after widespread criticism, the government pivoted and shifted the file to the justice minister.
Guilbeault is now back in his old ministry, which has been renamed Canadian identity and culture. Prime Minister Mark Carney has also created an artificial intelligence ministry, headed up by rookie MP Evan Solomon.
Fraser said he expects 'significant engagement' with Guilbeault and Solomon but it will be determined later which minister will take the lead on it.
The first version of the bill alarmed critics who warned that the provision requiring platforms to take down offending content within 24 hours would undermine free expression.
When Fraser's predecessor, Arif Virani, introduced the Online Harms Act in 2024, the bill restricted that 24-hour takedown provision to content that sexually victimizes a child or revictimizes a survivor, or intimate content shared without consent, including deepfakes.
It also required social media companies to explain how they plan to reduce the risks their platforms pose to users, and imposed on them a duty to protect children.
But the government also included Criminal Code and Canadian Human Rights Act amendments targeting hate in the same legislation — which some said risked chilling free speech.
In late 2024, Virani said he would split those controversial provisions off into a separate bill, but that didn't happen before this spring's federal election was called and the bill died on the order paper.
Fraser said no decision has been made yet on whether to bring back online harms legislation in one bill or two.
'That is precisely the kind of thing that I want to have an opportunity to discuss with stakeholders, to ensure we're moving forward in a way that will create a broad base of public support,' he said.
Fraser said the government could 'modify existing versions that we may have on the shelf from the previous Parliament as may be needed, or to accept the form in which we had the legislation.'
He added he wants to have a 'fresh consideration of the path forward, where I personally can benefit from the advice of those closest to the file who know best how to keep kids safe online.'
While the government hasn't set a date to introduce legislation, it could include some online harms measures in a crime bill Fraser plans to table in the fall.
Fraser said online harms provisions that 'touch more specifically on criminal activity' could be 'included in one piece of legislation, with a broader set of reforms on online harms at a different time.'
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 29, 2025.
Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
15 minutes ago
- CTV News
Man arrested after assaulting intruder inside his Lindsay home: police
Yellow police tape cordons off an area under investigation. A man is facing charges after he allegedly assaulted an intruder inside his Lindsay home early Monday morning, police say. The incident happened at an apartment on Kent Street shortly after 3 a.m. Police say that the suspect was asleep when he awoke to find an intruder inside his apartment. Investigators say an altercation ensued and the intruder sustained serious life-threatening injuries as a result. Police say that the resident, a 44-year-old Lindsay man, was charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon following an investigation. The intruder, a 41-year-old Lindsay man, was charged with four offences, including possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and break-and-enter. Police say that the intruder was already wanted at the time of his arrest for unrelated offences. 'When released from hospital he will be held in custody pending a bail hearing,' a news release issued by the Kawartha Lakes Police Service states.
CTV News
15 minutes ago
- CTV News
Essex OPP warns of counterfeit money in the county
Bank notes issued by the Bank of Canada are seen in a display case at the Bank of Canada Museum in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Essex OPP is warning the public to be careful when accepting large bills. Police said counterfeit money is in the county. In an effort to prevent more victims from receiving counterfeit cash, OPP are offering the following tips: To help determine if a bill is counterfeit, look for these security features that can be found on an authentic Canadian $20 bill: Holographic strip: Tilt the bill to see the metallic portrait and building images shift Transparent window: Look for the transparent window with a detailed metallic portrait Raised ink: Feel for the raised ink on the large '20' on the bill and the words 'Bank of Canada' Hidden numbers: Use a light source to find hidden numbers and patterns on the bill If you suspect a bill is counterfeit: Don't confront the person who gave it to you Take note of the person's description and any people with them Contact the OPP immediately at 1-888-310-1122 Officers remind businesses to stay alert when handling cash. Any suspicious activity should be reported immediately. More tips on counterfeit bills are available here.
CTV News
15 minutes ago
- CTV News
Nova Scotia Power granted extension to provide information on cybersecurity breach
Nova Scotia Power, which was originally ordered to provide a litany of information on the cybersecurity breach no later than Aug. 15, now has until early September to file the report. The Nova Scotia Energy Board, which is conducting a full investigation into the cyberattack last March, ordered the power utility to submit a detailed report on the incident, along with monthly updates, this year. On July 24, it also asked Nova Scotia Power to provide answers to a list of questions, including: when was the breach detected? how many current and former customers were impacted? what is the communication policy for a cyberattack? which customer services were affected by the breach? if a customer requested it, could the utility provide details about their specific compromised personal information? On Aug. 14, a day before Nova Scotia Power was scheduled to submit answers to these questions, the utility requested an extension to Sept. 5. 'Given that NS Power's investigation into the incident is ongoing and work in relation to the cybersecurity matter continues, additional time is required in the circumstances to enable NS Power to address the IRs (information requests) appropriately,' a letter from the utility reads. The Energy Board granted the extension request, but noted it would appreciate if Nova Scotia Power could provide responses prior to Sept. 5. 'These information requests seek information frequently requested by NS Power's customers in their letters and emails to the Board expressing concerns, frustrations, and complaints about the compromise and misuse of their personal information, the risks relating to the release of their personal information, and difficulties encountered in communications with the credit monitoring service engaged by NS Power,' a letter from Energy Board reads. 'The Board intended that NS Power's responses to these questions would be available to customers who may be seeking answers to the questions that many of them are asking.' The Energy Board had previously ordered the utility to file its monthly updates starting Aug. 1, but Nova Scotia Power requested an extension on that as well. History of cyberattack Nova Scotia Power detected 'unusual activity' on its network on April 25, but later learned the breach actually happened on or around March 19. It informed the public about the 'sophisticated ransomware attack' on May 23. The utility previously said up to 280,000 customers were affected by the attack, which possibly compromised names, phone numbers, email addresses, social insurance numbers and mailing addresses. Nova Scotia Power is offering five years of free credit monitoring to all current and former customers. It also said it would delete all social insurance numbers of customers from its files. Along with the Energy Board, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner is also investigating the cyberattack. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
