Thursday, May 14, 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

Montreal synagogue allegedly hit by arson, nearby Jewish office building damaged

Montreal synagogue allegedly hit by arson, nearby Jewish office building damaged
Montreal police received a 911 call shortly before 3 a.m. about a fire at the Congregation Beth Tikvah in the on-island suburb of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, police spokesperson Véronique Dubuc said.

Montreal synagogue allegedly hit by arson, nearby Jewish office building damaged

Boater clinging to capsized skiff rescued by B.C. ferry near terminal

Boater clinging to capsized skiff rescued by B.C. ferry near terminal
A British Columbia ferry had to be diverted to rescue a person clinging to their overturned boat near a ferry terminal on Monday.  BC Ferries says the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria notified it around 12:30 p.m., asking for help to rescue a boater in the water near the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal. 

Boater clinging to capsized skiff rescued by B.C. ferry near terminal

Voters head to polls to fill vacancy in byelection in Lethbridge, Alta.

Voters head to polls to fill vacancy in byelection in Lethbridge, Alta.
Voters head to the polls today to pick a new legislature representative in Lethbridge-West. The legislature seat was left vacant after NDP MLA Shannon Phillips resigned July 1.

Voters head to polls to fill vacancy in byelection in Lethbridge, Alta.

Inmate dies after prison assault

Inmate dies after prison assault
Correctional Service Canada says an inmate has died after an assault at a B-C prison. The service says the 43-year-old inmate died Sunday while in the custody of the Kent Institution in Agassiz.

Inmate dies after prison assault

Snowfall warnings for some BC highways

Snowfall warnings for some BC highways
Environment Canada has issued a number of snowfall and winter storm warnings on some B-C highways extending into today. The agency says winter storm conditions are in the forecast for the Sea to Sky Highway from Squamish to Whistler, as well as the Coquihalla from Hope to Merritt and Highway 3 between Grand Forks and Creston.

Snowfall warnings for some BC highways

Trudeau's advisers lay out his options as path to stay on as PM narrows

Trudeau's advisers lay out his options as path to stay on as PM narrows
A senior Liberal close to the prime minister says Trudeau is being presented possible paths forward, including proroguing Parliament to allow a Liberal leadership race to take place.

Trudeau's advisers lay out his options as path to stay on as PM narrows