Friday, May 1, 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

Prescription painkillers shortage in Canada expected to continue into new year

Prescription painkillers shortage in Canada expected to continue into new year
Pharmacists say a shortage of medications that contain oxycodone is expected to continue into the new year, while supply of another type of painkiller has increased since a nationwide disruption in the summer. 

Prescription painkillers shortage in Canada expected to continue into new year

What the federal Liberals are pitching in their 2025 budget

What the federal Liberals are pitching in their 2025 budget
Prime Minister Mark Carney promises the fall budget will spur unseen levels of private sector investment

What the federal Liberals are pitching in their 2025 budget

How it started, how it ended: A chronology of Ontario's ad blitz against U.S. tariffs

How it started, how it ended: A chronology of Ontario's ad blitz against U.S. tariffs
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew encourages Ford to keep the ad campaign going, saying Trump's tariffs betray Reagan's legacy.

How it started, how it ended: A chronology of Ontario's ad blitz against U.S. tariffs

Mark Carney's first budget plots a sharp departure from past fiscal plans

Mark Carney's first budget plots a sharp departure from past fiscal plans
Prime Minister Mark Carney's government is getting ready to table its first budget this week — one that will be markedly different from budgets of the past.

Mark Carney's first budget plots a sharp departure from past fiscal plans

Government expects fewer questions on foreign aid from weakened NDP: briefing note

Government expects fewer questions on foreign aid from weakened NDP: briefing note
A Global Affairs Canada briefing note suggests the department expects fewer questions going forward in the House of Commons about possible cuts to foreign aid from the much-reduced NDP caucus.

Government expects fewer questions on foreign aid from weakened NDP: briefing note

Canada bolsters Indo-Pacific presence with new defence pact with the Philippines

Canada bolsters Indo-Pacific presence with new defence pact with the Philippines
Defence Minister David McGuinty has signed a defence co-operation agreement with the Philippines, on the final day of a visit meant to strengthen defence relations.

Canada bolsters Indo-Pacific presence with new defence pact with the Philippines