Canadian Government Splits Online Harms Bill into Two Separate Laws

Justice Minister Arif Virani announces division of controversial bill to prioritize child protection and address hate speech concerns.

The Online Harms Bill, officially known as Bill C-63, will now be divided into two separate pieces of legislation to expedite its passage through Parliament.
One bill will focus on protecting children online by combating child sexual exploitation, revenge pornography, and creating a Digital Safety Commission.
The second bill will address hate speech, proposing Criminal Code amendments and changes to the Human Rights Act, including potential life sentences for hate-motivated crimes.
Civil liberties advocates and legal experts had previously urged the government to split the bill, citing concerns over free speech and the potential misuse of hate speech provisions.
Justice Minister Virani emphasized that the division aims to prioritize child safety measures while allowing for more detailed debate on the contentious hate speech regulations.