Tuesday, May 5, 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

Police in B.C. say suspect known as 'Mr. X' in 1985 Air India bombing is dead

Police in B.C. say suspect known as 'Mr. X' in 1985 Air India bombing is dead
The bomb on Air India Flight 182 exploded over the Atlantic Ocean, killing everyone on board, while a second suitcase bomb exploded before being transferred onto an Air India jet, killing two baggage handlers in Tokyo's Narita Airport. 

Police in B.C. say suspect known as 'Mr. X' in 1985 Air India bombing is dead

Mark Carney names Kirsten Hillman chief negotiator with U.S.

Mark Carney names Kirsten Hillman chief negotiator with U.S.
Prime Minister Mark Carney's office confirms Hillman has been named to the position, making her U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer's opposite number in the bilateral trade talks.

Mark Carney names Kirsten Hillman chief negotiator with U.S.

Newly launched Access to Information review is flawed, transparency advocates say

Newly launched Access to Information review is flawed, transparency advocates say
The release says officials will seek input from a broad range of Canadians, Indigenous groups, experts and other interested people in the coming weeks and months.

Newly launched Access to Information review is flawed, transparency advocates say

Alberta voters to decide today if NDP's Nenshi, separatists to hold legislature seats

Alberta voters to decide today if NDP's Nenshi, separatists to hold legislature seats
In Edmonton-Ellerslie, NDP candidate Gurtej Singh Brar could solidify the opposition party's hold on the city, but United Conservative Party candidate Naresh Bhardwaj is hoping to make an inroad.

Alberta voters to decide today if NDP's Nenshi, separatists to hold legislature seats

B.C. professor trapped in Iran says Canada has offered 'almost nothing' to help

B.C. professor trapped in Iran says Canada has offered 'almost nothing' to help
One of Jannesar's students shared a message from him last week describing the professor's situation in an online forum, before the U.S. attack.

B.C. professor trapped in Iran says Canada has offered 'almost nothing' to help

Canada's next national census set for May 2026

Canada's next national census set for May 2026
Statistics Canada says the results are used to plan government services involving employment, schools, public transportation and hospital services.

Canada's next national census set for May 2026