The Canadian government has introduced a two-pronged approach to address the increasing concern of hate and harmful content both offline and online. The first part of the strategy involves new provisions in the Criminal Code, which aim to combat offline harms such as intimidation or protests occurring outside schools and places of worship. This reflects a commitment to safeguarding community spaces and ensuring public safety.
The second part of the strategy is encapsulated in a digital safety bill that was introduced in June 2023. This legislation targets online harms by introducing a legal duty for internet platforms to act responsibly. Key stipulations of the bill require these platforms to publish digital safety plans, which outline their strategies for countering harmful content, as well as increase transparency regarding their efforts to manage and remove illegal content, including hate speech and non-consensual material.
The government’s initiative aims to provide a structured framework for tackling online hate and ensuring that digital spaces remain safe. By codifying these responsibilities, the government hopes to foster accountability among online platforms, thereby reducing the prevalence of harmful content and protecting vulnerable communities.
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