Saturday, May 9, 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

Media, telecom firms ask CRTC to ease up on regulation as they compete with streaming

Media, telecom firms ask CRTC to ease up on regulation as they compete with streaming
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is holding consultations on how the Canadian broadcasting system can survive the shift away from traditional TV to international streamers. It’s a part of the regulator’s work on implementing the Online Streaming Act, which updated broadcasting laws to capture online platforms.

Media, telecom firms ask CRTC to ease up on regulation as they compete with streaming

White House says tariffs moving forward but there's still room for negotiation

White House says tariffs moving forward but there's still room for negotiation
Trump's executive order to implement 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian imports, with a lower 10 per cent levy on energy, was delayed until March 4 after Canada agreed to introduce new security measures at the border. The president said the pause would allow time to reach a "final economic deal."

White House says tariffs moving forward but there's still room for negotiation

Poll shows Freeland a close second on first ballot in Liberal leadership race

Poll shows Freeland a close second on first ballot in Liberal leadership race
A new poll suggests that while former central banker Mark Carney is still the odds-on favourite to win the Liberal leadership, he isn't likely to win on the first ballot. A Mainstreet Research survey shows Carney with a solid lead among registered Liberals — and former finance minister Chrystia Freeland coming in second.

Poll shows Freeland a close second on first ballot in Liberal leadership race

Ambulance with two paramedics and patient involved in crash in Nanaimo

Ambulance with two paramedics and patient involved in crash in Nanaimo
Police are investigating a crash between an ambulance and a vehicle in Nanaimo. A statement from the RCMP says officers were able to determine that the ambulance, with two paramedics and one patient onboard, was travelling northbound Tuesday morning when it was struck broadside at an intersection by an older model vehicle travelling westbound.

Ambulance with two paramedics and patient involved in crash in Nanaimo

Rustad says B.C. Conservatives having 'family' issues, amid defiance and disunity

Rustad says B.C. Conservatives having 'family' issues, amid defiance and disunity
B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad says the party is having "family" issues ahead of its annual general meeting, with his attorney general critic defying his wishes and a lack of unity on display in the legislature. But Rustad says the Opposition party supports free speech and free voting among its caucus, dismissing suggestions he could face a leadership contest at the weekend meeting.

Rustad says B.C. Conservatives having 'family' issues, amid defiance and disunity

Predatory sales, unfair contract terms a focus of B.C.'s new consumer protection laws

Predatory sales, unfair contract terms a focus of B.C.'s new consumer protection laws
The amendments to the law were introduced in the legislature on Tuesday that would ban direct sales on high-cost items such as air conditioners and furnaces, as well as give a clearer path for people to cancel their contracts and force notification requirements for automatic subscription renewals. 

Predatory sales, unfair contract terms a focus of B.C.'s new consumer protection laws