A coalition comprising advocacy groups, health-care organizations, and a telecommunications company has united to urge the federal government to reintroduce legislation safeguarding children from online exploitation. The coalition convened in Ottawa on National Child Day to emphasize the necessity of swift action in combating online bullying and abuse. Andrea Chrysanthou, chair of Children First Canada, expressed concern over the alarming prevalence of child exploitation, emphasizing the urgency for legislative measures to protect children from harm.
Among the coalition members are Telus, children’s hospitals like Sick Kids and CHEO, along with child advocacy organizations such as the Child & Youth Advocacy Centres of Canada and the Amanda Todd Legacy Society. Dr. Margot Burnell, president of the Canadian Medical Association, stressed the importance of prioritizing children’s online safety for the nation’s future.
In an effort to address online harms, the federal government introduced Bill C-36 in June 2021 to combat hate propaganda, hate crimes, and hate speech. However, the bill faced delays and was not debated in committee due to a federal election being called. Subsequently, the government introduced Bill C-63, the Online Harms Act, in February of the following year, focusing on protecting children from harmful online content.
Despite these efforts, the bill faced challenges, with critics raising concerns about potential infringements on free speech. The government later announced plans to split Bill C-63 into two parts to address child protection and hate speech separately. However, these plans were put on hold when a federal election was called.
The coalition has launched a 40-day campaign named the Countdown for Kids to pressure the government to reintroduce the legislation promptly. They advocate for the creation of an independent regulator to enforce online platform compliance with the law and the establishment of a “binding duty of care” to safeguard children from online harms.
Recent statistics revealing a surge in online child sexual exploitation incidents underscore the pressing need for legislative action. The coalition highlights the escalating instances of cyberbullying, emphasizing the critical need for comprehensive measures to protect children online. Justice Minister Sean Fraser noted the government’s ongoing review of the Online Harms Act and reiterated the commitment to combat online sexual exploitation and provide law enforcement with the necessary tools to address these crimes.