A bill soon to be introduced,
but complex to draft
(Ottawa) The federal justice minister said Tuesday that a bill to combat online hate remains a "top priority" for his government, while Justin Trudeau stressed the need for Canadians to respect each other's freedom of expression.
Minister Arif Virani argues that the most recent war between Israel and Hamas has led to a sharp increase in online hate speech since Oct. 7. He recalls that these tensions have also manifested themselves in violent attacks against religious and community groups.
"We don't need that in this country, and I think a bill on online hate can help solve that problem," Virani said Tuesday morning before the weekly cabinet meeting in Ottawa.
However, the minister did not say whether the new bill would be tabled in the House before the holiday break, which is likely to begin in mid-December. "I'm hopeful it will be tabled soon, because I'm hearing (pressure) from concerned stakeholders and Canadians."
The Liberals first promised during the 2019 election campaign to introduce legislation to combat "online harms" such as "radicalization, incitement to violence, exploitation of children, and the creation or distribution of terrorist propaganda."
A bill was indeed introduced in June 2021, but it died on the order paper when an early election was called later that year.
Jewish and Muslim organizations agree that it is essential for the government to get it right when it
comes to defining what exactly is meant by "online harms."
Leading Jewish organizations believe that such a law is necessary to force "web giants" to remove anti-Semitic comments from their platforms. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs has held discussions with the government on the content of the bill. Chief Executive Shimon Koffler Fogel said he wanted to see "a clear and transparent protocol" for platforms to deal with users who spread such hate speech.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims has reported a sharp increase in hateful comments targeting Muslims and others of Arab descent since the start of the war in the Middle East on October 7.
Stephen Brown, the organization's CEO, said he's had many conversations with members of the government about the upcoming bill. He believes that the wording of the law should be based on a clear definition of "what is considered hateful in Canada."
"We also oppose anything that would prevent legitimate criticism of foreign governments or anything that would prevent the legitimate expression of political opinions," Brown said.
Minister Virani admits that the drafting of the bill is complex, but he assures that it is a "top priority" for him and other members of the cabinet.
Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Trudeau called the rise of anti-Semitism in the country "appalling," citing attacks on synagogues, protests against businesses, community centres and Jewish schools. "This is unacceptable. That's not who we are,"
he said on November 8 in an appeal for calm.
"At the same time, the rise of Islamophobia in Canada, the attacks and the intolerance, a recrimination of anyone who dares to show a Palestinian flag, that, too, is not who we are as Canadians," he added. "And someone who expresses sorrow for the hostages is not an endorsement of the civilian dead" in the Gaza Strip.
Minister Arif Virani argues that the most recent war between Israel and Hamas has led to a sharp increase in online hate speech since Oct. 7. He recalls that these tensions have also manifested themselves in violent attacks against religious and community groups.
"We don't need that in this country, and I think a bill on online hate can help solve that problem," Virani said Tuesday morning before the weekly cabinet meeting in Ottawa.
However, the minister did not say whether the new bill would be tabled in the House before the holiday break, which is likely to begin in mid-December. "I'm hopeful it will be tabled soon, because I'm hearing (pressure) from concerned stakeholders and Canadians."
The Liberals first promised during the 2019 election campaign to introduce legislation to combat "online harms" such as "radicalization, incitement to violence, exploitation of children, and the creation or distribution of terrorist propaganda."
A bill was indeed introduced in June 2021, but it died on the order paper when an early election was called later that year.
Jewish and Muslim organizations agree that it is essential for the government to get it right when it
comes to defining what exactly is meant by "online harms."
Leading Jewish organizations believe that such a law is necessary to force "web giants" to remove anti-Semitic comments from their platforms. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs has held discussions with the government on the content of the bill. Chief Executive Shimon Koffler Fogel said he wanted to see "a clear and transparent protocol" for platforms to deal with users who spread such hate speech.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims has reported a sharp increase in hateful comments targeting Muslims and others of Arab descent since the start of the war in the Middle East on October 7.
Stephen Brown, the organization's CEO, said he's had many conversations with members of the government about the upcoming bill. He believes that the wording of the law should be based on a clear definition of "what is considered hateful in Canada."
"We also oppose anything that would prevent legitimate criticism of foreign governments or anything that would prevent the legitimate expression of political opinions," Brown said.
Minister Virani admits that the drafting of the bill is complex, but he assures that it is a "top priority" for him and other members of the cabinet.
Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Trudeau called the rise of anti-Semitism in the country "appalling," citing attacks on synagogues, protests against businesses, community centres and Jewish schools. "This is unacceptable. That's not who we are,"
he said on November 8 in an appeal for calm.
"At the same time, the rise of Islamophobia in Canada, the attacks and the intolerance, a recrimination of anyone who dares to show a Palestinian flag, that, too, is not who we are as Canadians," he added. "And someone who expresses sorrow for the hostages is not an endorsement of the civilian dead" in the Gaza Strip.
