TEAM SENATOR TONY LOFFREDA
Bill C-63,- : Should the Government of Canada regulate harmful online content? If so, how can it accomplish that in a fair and objective way without limiting freedom of expression online? What role, if any, do online digital giants like Facebook/Instagram, YouTube, X, TikTok and others have in monitoring user content on their platforms and in removing content that could be deemed to be offensive or harmful?
(Bilingual)
Le gouvernement du Canada doit-il réglementer les contenus préjudiciables en ligne ? Dans l'affirmative, comment peut-il le faire de manière équitable et objective sans limiter la liberté d'expression en ligne ? Quel rôle, le cas échéant, les géants du numérique en ligne comme Facebook/Instagram, YouTube, X, TikTok et d'autres ont-ils dans la surveillance du contenu des utilisateurs sur leurs plateformes et dans le retrait du contenu qui pourrait être considéré comme offensant ou préjudiciable ?
Bill C-63, commonly known as the Online Harms Act.
Among many things, the bill seeks to promote the online safety of persons in Canada, reduce harms caused to persons in Canada as a result of harmful content online and ensure that the operators of social media services in respect of which the Online Harms Act applies are transparent and accountable with respect to their duties under the Act. The bill also seeks to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to include a new provision that stipulates that “it is a discriminatory practice to communicate or cause to be communicated hate speech by means of the Internet or any other means of telecommunications in a context in which the hate speech is likely to foment detestation or vilification of an individual or group of individuals on the basis of a prohibited ground of discrimination.” The bill clarifies that “for greater certainty, the content of communication does not express detestation or vilification solely because it expresses disdain or dislike or it discredits, humiliates, hurts or offends.”
This is a large piece of legislation (104 pages) with five separate parts. It was introduced in February and it is currently in the House of Commons at second reading.
You are encouraged to consult some of the background information provided below and do some additional research online to see what others have said about the bill. Many experts, journalists and academics have commented on the bill, some arguing that the bill goes too far in limiting freedom of expression/speech and in policing the internet. It’s important to consult other sources beyond the federal government.
Here is the Government’s news release that was published the day the bill was tabled in the House of Commons.
Here is a backgrounder on the bill prepared by the Government.
Here is a great page from Statistics Canada that addresses the impact of online harmful content on youth.
Here is the press conference held by the Justice Minister after he tabled the bill in the House of Commons in February.
Here is the results from the Government’s cross-Canada consultation as part of its roundtable son online safety.
YOUR MISSION...
Thank you for being here and doing this work. Your effort, initiative, thoughts, and contributions are what will make your team successful.
END STATE: Create a short presentation that demonstrates the following:
You understand the question. (WHAT)
You understand the issue and the complexities or difficulties that the Bill or idea is trying to address. (HOW the WHAT unfolds)
Offer a solution(s) or idea(s) that can improve the situation. Be thoughtful. (HOW the problem can be addressed)
Explain and / or defend your idea; why is it a good approach or idea to address the problem. (WHY this is correct)
Give a composed summary.
ROLES for You and Your TEAMMATES:
delegate tasks like research,
break the issue into components to explore,
some team members can focus on the slides,
identify presenters early
give yourself time to practice.
ROLES of Adults:
Encourage and guide.
Adults are not here to help you answer your question. They are here to guide you as you explore, or when you 'hit a wall', or seek clarity. WHEN YOU ASK.
SCHEDULE- use your time wisely - it will go fast!
10:00 - Meet your politician and get the problem
10:30-11:30 - research
11:30-12:00 - build the presentation (continue research)
12:00 - Lunch and a presentation from Senator Loffreda.
(12:45-14:00 Senator Loffreda will travel between teams to give you some presentation advice.)
13:00 - Final research and prep
14:00 - Presentations
