Sunday, January 25, 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

Sharp rise in 911 calls in Montreal as wintry weather hits Eastern Canada

Sharp rise in 911 calls in Montreal as wintry weather hits Eastern Canada
A winter storm brought freezing rain, blowing snow and strong winds across Eastern Canada on Monday, leading to a surge in 911 calls in Montreal and leaving tens of thousands of customers without power in Ontario.

Sharp rise in 911 calls in Montreal as wintry weather hits Eastern Canada

Snowfall warnings issued for Coquihalla, Sea to Sky highways in B.C.

Snowfall warnings issued for Coquihalla, Sea to Sky highways in B.C.
Snowfall warnings are in effect for some major highways coming to and from British Columbia's Lower Mainland.

Snowfall warnings issued for Coquihalla, Sea to Sky highways in B.C.

Amid talk of possible peace deal for Ukraine, Canada's focus is Ukraine's sovereignty

Amid talk of possible peace deal for Ukraine, Canada's focus is Ukraine's sovereignty
Europe is watching for a possible breakthrough in U.S.-led talks for a ceasefire in Ukraine, as Canada has repeatedly said it's up to Ukrainians to decide how the war ends.

Amid talk of possible peace deal for Ukraine, Canada's focus is Ukraine's sovereignty

About one-third of Canadians optimistic about the new year: survey

About one-third of Canadians optimistic about the new year: survey
This year has been marked by economic upheaval, global conflict and climate change-induced natural disasters, and only a third of Canadians are optimistic things will get better in 2026, a new Leger poll suggests.

About one-third of Canadians optimistic about the new year: survey

Santa cleared for Christmas Eve travel, transport minister says

Santa cleared for Christmas Eve travel, transport minister says
The federal transport minister says Santa Claus has been cleared for travel in Canadian airspace.

Santa cleared for Christmas Eve travel, transport minister says

Western and Northern Canada braces for chilly, snowy Christmas

Western and Northern Canada braces for chilly, snowy Christmas
Frigid temperatures across much of Western Canada include advisories warning parts of Alberta to prepare for a snowy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Western and Northern Canada braces for chilly, snowy Christmas