CTV National News: Attawapiskat family protests in ring of fire, more First Nations may join
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CTV's Kamil Karamali reports on an Attawapiskat family's journey to Northern Ontario's Ring of Fire to protest new legislation, with others expected to follow.
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CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Liberals taking 'fresh' look at online harms bill, says Justice Minister Sean Fraser
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." WATCH | A bill to protect people — especially children — from harmful content online: Federal government introduces online harms bill 1 year ago Duration 4:59 The Liberal government has tabled bill C-63, which aims to protect people — especially children — from harmful content online, including sexual exploitation and hate speech, through the creation of a new regulatory body called the Digital Safety Commission and changes to the Criminal Code. 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." Fraser expects to work with other ministers Online harms legislation was first proposed by then-heritage minister Steven Guilbeault in 2021. 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."
National Post
2 hours ago
- National Post
A Canadian helped design the 'two-state solution.' This Canadian says it remains the only answer in Israel
Former Canadian diplomat Norman Spector doesn't have a reputation for wishful thinking. So when he proposes we talk about how the issues around terrorism, atrocities and hostages are being framed in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks in Israel, I know I'm in for a stiff shot of realpolitik. Article content 'By chance, I had the good fortune of being Canada's first representative to the Palestinian Authority shortly after I landed in Israel as ambassador in 1992,' Norman says, setting the context for our virtual conversation. Article content Article content 'I have some fond as well as some scary memories of walking around Gaza back then,' he continues, 'but these days, I mostly wonder how Israeli-Palestinian relations would have unfolded in the wake of the Oslo accords had Yitzhak Rabin not been assassinated.' Article content Article content Appointed by then-prime minister Brian Mulroney as Canada's ambassador in 1992, the year before the Oslo accords were signed, Norman had the good fortune of living in the Middle East during a period of peace. Article content Reflecting back, Norman says he's not sure the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, envisioned in the Oslo accords, ever had a chance after the Rabin assassination. Rabin, the prime minister of Israel, was assassinated in 1995 by an Israeli extremist opposed to his peace efforts. Article content 'I think Rabin came to the conclusion that there was no alternative — and he had the credibility that allowed him to take a chance with Arafat whom Israelis did not trust,' Norman says. 'After October 7,' he muses, 'there is even less trust of Palestinians and there's no Rabin in sight.' Article content Article content There is a faint hint of wistfulness in Norman's tone; his assessment of the current situation is deeply unsettling. Article content Article content From October 7 on, we've seen growing division and polarization and hatred in our own country. Progressives have made Gaza their cause (no one more than Alberta's own NDP MP, Heather McPherson) and conservatives hold loyal to Israel. Media outlets pick a lane and stick with it. Article content Talking about Israel and the Palestinians has become so prickly, many refuse to wade into the conversation for fear of being attacked. The rhetoric is all part of the conflict, Norman accurately points out, 'Folks chanting or spray painting 'genocide' are generally not in favour of two states, one Jewish, one Palestinian, between the river and the sea.'
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
First Nations warn Alberta's data centre approach won't attract big tech companies
The chiefs of four First Nations in Alberta say they're eager to take part in the province's nascent data centre industry, but argue the province is taking the wrong approach to attract large-scale tech players. The chiefs of the Alexander First Nation, Paul First Nation, Enoch Cree Nation and Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation outlined their concerns this week in an open letter to Premier Danielle Smith and members of her government. "There are shovel-ready proposals backed by major industry players aligned with government objectives that will be left stranded without a change in proposed policy," the chiefs wrote. "Alberta should be a premier destination for hyperscale data centre investment. But strengths only matter if we act on them. Right now, Alberta's ability to execute and deliver on its promise is in question." Data centres are huge facilities housing the computing firepower needed for artificial intelligence and other applications. It can take an enormous amount of power to run and cool them. The chiefs say the amount of power the Alberta Electric System Operator has allotted to new projects falls short. The Alberta Electric System Operator said earlier this month that it has received requests from 29 proposed data centre projects representing more than 16,000 megawatts — more than 11 times the City of Edmonton's load. It said it will allow the connection of up to 1,200 megawatts of large load projects between now and 2028. "Alberta has never seen this level and volume of load connection requests," said AESO CEO Aaron Engen. "As the system operator, we are responsible for ensuring that new project connections do not compromise grid reliability. Because connecting all large loads seeking access would impair grid reliability, we established a limit that preserves system integrity while enabling timely data centre development in Alberta." The Alberta government has set a goal of attracting $100 billion in data centre investment over five years. Accommodating for hyperscalers But the chiefs wrote that the limit sends the wrong signal to tech powerhouses like Meta and Amazon. "The hyperscalers 'don't build small.' They think in gigawatts, because their global operations require that scale," they wrote. "Under the current proposal, not even one such flagship project may be fully realized here without years of delay, since 1,200 megawatts total divided among many projects signals that Alberta isn't prepared to accommodate a true hyperscaler's needs. "This sends an unintended but clear message to investors that Alberta's actions do not match its ambitions." The Alberta government supports the "balanced approach" the AESO is taking, said the press secretary for Affordability and Utilities Minister Nathan Neudorf. "Alberta aims to be the destination of choice for AI data centres in North America," Ashli Barrett said in a written statement. "At the same time, our government will always put the well-being of Albertans first and ensure data centre projects will not compromise the affordability or reliability of the electricity that millions of Albertans, First Nations, and our local industries depend on." Barrett added the 1,200-megawatt limit is short-term and should not be thought of as a cap. "It will enable data centre projects in advanced stages of planning and development to get started, while government works to develop a long-term framework for data centres, which will provide additional pathways for data centres projects to meet their power needs, including encouraging them to bring their own power." Chief Tony Alexis of the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation northwest of Edmonton said his community is looking at taking an equity stake in a project, and discussions are in the early stages. He said First Nations want more than to be consulted — they are ready to invest. "Our nations have been growing. We've got young populations and this industry can bring some real training, some jobs, some long-term prosperity for our community," Alexis said in an interview.
