Saturday, May 2, 2026
ADVT 
National

Government to bring forward online harms bill, AI minister says

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Jan, 2026 11:46 AM
  • Government to bring forward online harms bill, AI minister says

Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon says the federal government is working on online harms legislation.

Solomon says Culture Minister Marc Miller will bring that bill forward.

The bill would be separate from privacy legislation Solomon will introduce, and from a justice bill the government tabled last year that includes elements criminalizing some deepfakes.

The Liberal government introduced the Online Harms Act in 2024, which would have imposed new requirements on social media companies and created an online regulator, but the bill never became law.

Under Prime Minister Mark Carney, the Liberals initially signalled they would not bring the bill back in the same form, but would instead tackle aspects of online harms in other legislation.

Solomon’s comments follow calls from women and children’s advocates to bring back the defunct bill, and after a report in the Globe and Mail said an upcoming online harms bill could include a social media ban for children under 14.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

MORE National ARTICLES

Report into Alberta health contracts finds conflicts widely known

Report into Alberta health contracts finds conflicts widely known
A final report into allegations of corruption in Alberta government health contracts says it was widely known two staffers were in conflicts of interest but no steps were taken by senior officials.

Report into Alberta health contracts finds conflicts widely known

Upcoming budget to include funding for 1,000 new border officers

Upcoming budget to include funding for 1,000 new border officers
The Liberal government says it's fulfilling a campaign promise in its upcoming budget with funding to hire 1,000 more Canada Border Services Agency officers.

Upcoming budget to include funding for 1,000 new border officers

Striking B.C. public service staff to enter non-binding mediation with province

Striking B.C. public service staff to enter non-binding mediation with province
The union representing striking public service workers across British Columbia has agreed to enter non-binding mediation with the province in their labour dispute.

Striking B.C. public service staff to enter non-binding mediation with province

Canada Post promises to protect rural mail delivery in overhaul

Canada Post promises to protect rural mail delivery in overhaul
Canada Post says it will prioritize reliable and affordable mail delivery for all Canadians — including those in rural and remote communities — as part of sweeping changes kicked off last month by the federal government.

Canada Post promises to protect rural mail delivery in overhaul

Carney briefing Premier Ford on trade talks with U.S.

Carney briefing Premier Ford on trade talks with U.S.
Prime Minister Mark Carney says he will brief Ontario Premier Doug Ford today on Canada's negotiations with the U.S. on sectoral trade deals.

Carney briefing Premier Ford on trade talks with U.S.

Canadian passport now outranks U.S. in tally of visa-free access

Canadian passport now outranks U.S. in tally of visa-free access
The Henley Passport Index ranks Canada in 9th place for how many countries Canadian citizens can visit without needing to apply for a visa, while the U.S. passport is in 12th place.

Canadian passport now outranks U.S. in tally of visa-free access