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

BC Hydro seeks baseload power boost from stable sources

BC Hydro seeks baseload power boost from stable sources
British Columbia's power utility has begun the process to boost the province's baseload electricity generation capacity in a bid to meet the province's growing demand from residents and industries.

BC Hydro seeks baseload power boost from stable sources

Ottawa amps up criticism of Israel over 'appalling conditions' in Gaza

Ottawa amps up criticism of Israel over 'appalling conditions' in Gaza
Ottawa issued a stronger condemnation of Israel's restrictions on food aid in Gaza this week as the country's ambassador continues to reject claims that Israel is violating humanitarian law.

Ottawa amps up criticism of Israel over 'appalling conditions' in Gaza

Inflation volatility, tariff uncertainty keep Bank of Canada sidelined

Inflation volatility, tariff uncertainty keep Bank of Canada sidelined
The unpredictability of the United States' trade war and signs of creeping inflation kept the Bank of Canada's interest rate on hold for a second consecutive decision on Wednesday — even as the central bank braces for an economic hit.

Inflation volatility, tariff uncertainty keep Bank of Canada sidelined

Environment Canada says Canadian wildfire smoke now floating in parts of U.S.

Environment Canada says Canadian wildfire smoke now floating in parts of U.S.
Swaths of smoke from wildfires torching buildings and forcing thousands of people from their homes in Western Canada have travelled as far as Newfoundland and Labrador in the east and Texas in the south.

Environment Canada says Canadian wildfire smoke now floating in parts of U.S.

Steel industry, labour leaders call for government action as U.S. tariffs spike

Steel industry, labour leaders call for government action as U.S. tariffs spike
Canada's steel industry needs the federal government to take swift action as it faces an existential threat from steeply increased U.S. tariff, said Catherine Cobden, head of the Canadian Steel Producers Association.

Steel industry, labour leaders call for government action as U.S. tariffs spike

Carney names former UN ambassador Blanchard as chief of staff

Carney names former UN ambassador Blanchard as chief of staff
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his permanent chief of staff on Sunday, appointing Marc-André Blanchard, Canada's former ambassador to the United Nations, to one of the most powerful posts in Canadian politics. 

Carney names former UN ambassador Blanchard as chief of staff