Liberals taking ‘fresh' look at online harms bill, justice minister says
It would be the Liberals third attempt to pass legislation to address harmful behaviour online.
Fraser told The Canadian Press in an interview that the government hasn't decided whether to rewrite or simply reintroduce the Online Harms Act, which was introduced in 2024 but did not pass.
He said Canadians can expect measures addressing deepfakes and child exploitation 'to be included in legislative reforms coming up in the near future.'
In their election platform, the Liberals promised to make the distribution of non-consensual sexual deepfakes a criminal offence. They also pledged to introduce a bill to protect children from online sexploitation and extortion, and to give law enforcement and prosecutors additional tools to pursue those crimes.
Fraser said the growth of artificial intelligence is influencing the discussions.
The spread of generative AI has changed both the online space and everyday life since the federal government first introduced the legislation.
'We will have that in mind as we revisit the specifics of online harms legislation,' he added. 'The world changes and governments would be remiss if they didn't recognize that policy needs to shift.'
Online harms legislation was first proposed by then-heritage minister Steven Guilbeault in 2021, but after widespread criticism, the government pivoted and shifted the file to the justice minister.
Guilbeault is now back in his old ministry, which has been renamed Canadian identity and culture. Prime Minister Mark Carney has also created an artificial intelligence ministry, headed up by rookie MP Evan Solomon.
Fraser said he expects 'significant engagement' with Guilbeault and Solomon but it will be determined later which minister will take the lead on it.
The first version of the bill alarmed critics who warned that the provision requiring platforms to take down offending content within 24 hours would undermine free expression.
When Fraser's predecessor, Arif Virani, introduced the Online Harms Act in 2024, the bill restricted that 24-hour takedown provision to content that sexually victimizes a child or revictimizes a survivor, or intimate content shared without consent, including deepfakes.
It also required social media companies to explain how they plan to reduce the risks their platforms pose to users, and imposed on them a duty to protect children.
But the government also included Criminal Code and Canadian Human Rights Act amendments targeting hate in the same legislation — which some said risked chilling free speech.
In late 2024, Virani said he would split those controversial provisions off into a separate bill, but that didn't happen before this spring's federal election was called and the bill died on the order paper.
Fraser said no decision has been made yet on whether to bring back online harms legislation in one bill or two.
'That is precisely the kind of thing that I want to have an opportunity to discuss with stakeholders, to ensure we're moving forward in a way that will create a broad base of public support,' he said.
Wednesdays
Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture.
Fraser said the government could 'modify existing versions that we may have on the shelf from the previous Parliament as may be needed, or to accept the form in which we had the legislation.'
He added he wants to have a 'fresh consideration of the path forward, where I personally can benefit from the advice of those closest to the file who know best how to keep kids safe online.'
While the government hasn't set a date to introduce legislation, it could include some online harms measures in a crime bill Fraser plans to table in the fall.
Fraser said online harms provisions that 'touch more specifically on criminal activity' could be 'included in one piece of legislation, with a broader set of reforms on online harms at a different time.'
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 29, 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
25 minutes ago
Carney praises Canadians' unity as July 1 celebrations continue
Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? In his first Canada Day address as prime minister, Mark Carney emphasized unity in a changing world. One hundred and 58 years ago, a few provinces bet on the idea that they'd be stronger together than they ever could be apart. They were right, and so they became a new federation that's now grown into our strong, bilingual, multicultural and ambitious country, Carney said in his video address. That unity includes writing the country's next chapter together in true partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Speaking at a Canada Day event in Ottawa, the prime minister took a moment to acknowledge some recent challenges. WATCH | Carney's message to Canadians: Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? Canada Day this year coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag and the 45th anniversary of the official adoption of O Canada as the national anthem. This year's festivities at LeBreton Flats Park in Ottawa also got the royal treatment, with Prince Edward praising Canadian unity and accomplishments. Seeing this sea of red and white, there is only one sense that I have here, the Duke of Edinburgh said. Today is truly a celebration of you, and your home and your land, strong and free. Leaders gave speeches interlaced with musical performances, Indigenous cultural demonstrations and a double flypast of Snowbirds military jets. The federal Heritage Department counts 8,000 people were attending the events. Gov. Gen. Mary Simon said the country is on a journey of reconciliation that began by listening to each other, honouring the past, and holding space for the pain and resilience of Indigenous Peoples. Kindness is the thread that weaves our communities together, she said. WATCH | Prince Edward praises Canada: Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? Prince Edward praises Canada's achievements in July 1 speech Prince Edward capped off a weeklong visit to Canada with a stop in Ottawa, where he gave a speech to Canada Day revellers at LeBreton Flats Park. 'Today is truly a celebration of you, your home and your land, strong and free,' he said to cheers from the crowd. Speaking at a Canada Day event in Ottawa, the prime minister took a moment to acknowledge some recent challenges. We find ourselves in a situation where our economy has been attacked by a trade war we didn't start ... in a situation where our values are being tested by attacks on democracy and freedoms — attacks that we must resist. In an interview with CBC's Catherine Cullen, Carney said we'll see if Canada and the U.S. can reach a trade deal by July 21, a previously agreed-upon deadline (new window) set by the two countries. We're doing what is necessary in order to get the best deal for Canadians. If we get the best deal for Canadians, we will agree to it. If we can't we won't — it's that simple, he told CBC. WATCH | Carney talks Canada-U.S. relationship: Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? Asked about a growing separatist movement in Alberta, Carney said he remembered tensions between Alberta and the federal government when he was growing up in the province. What happened is we came together, helped build the province … everyone coming together, he said. Alberta's a great province and this is an even greater country. The same's going to happen again. Carney noted in his address that Canadians have been uniting in a more divided and dangerous world, pointing to his one-Canadian economy plan as a way to push back against instability. This is the greatest nation on Earth. Our destiny is to make it greater still — not by what we say, but by what we do. Happy Canada Day. Find out how to follow the day's celebrations by clicking here (new window). Racy Rafique (new window) · CBC News
Montreal Gazette
an hour ago
- Montreal Gazette
A more patriotic Canada Day in the age of Trump
By Cannon blasts rang out across Montreal's Old Port as dozens marked the moment they became Canadian citizens. Among the crowd, Dave and Yvonne Kyba — already Canadian — stood out in matching T-shirts they had printed at a local mall, bearing a message they felt had taken on greater urgency in the past year: 'Canada's Not For Sale.' 'We were so fired up after the comments were made initially, yeah, that we went out and got the shirts,' said Dave Kyba, referring to the latest remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump about annexing Canada. 'We should be more positive, which is generally our character,' he added, 'but we just felt impassioned to say something back: no, we're not.' 'We don't want to be the 51st state. Point finale,' said Yvonne Kyba. This year's Canada Day has played out amid a trade war with the U.S. and a steady stream of jabs from its president. Thousands gathered at the Old Port, some waving maple leaf flags, others decked out in red and white. The Kybas said they came not to become Canadian, but to witness the ceremony and welcome newcomers. 'Trump has awakened everyone,' said Paulina Ambrose, who stood alongside the couple. Ambrose moved to Montreal in 1976 and had come to watch the event, too. 'People were sleeping. Now they're awake,' she said. Trump's offhand comments about Canada becoming 'the 51st state' have sparked a wide range of reactions, even as analysts continue to debate whether they're strategic or simply performative. Boycotts of Florida vacations and American-made goods have made headlines. At several public events this year, Canadian crowds have even booed the U.S. national anthem. 'There's a real sense of national pride that wasn't there before,' said Chrissy Krahn, also at the ceremony. A former British Columbian who moved to Montreal six years ago, she added: 'Because we're very nice, right? We're Canadians. But this has really awakened a little bit of a beast.' Amid the rhetoric from Trump, political changes in Ottawa have also followed this year. Though the governing Liberal Party held onto power in the April election, it did so under a new leader — Prime Minister Mark Carney — whose campaign emphasized standing firm in Canada's relationship with the United States. That stance has already been tested. On his first visit to the White House, Carney stated plainly: some things are 'never for sale.' But just this week, Carney withdrew a proposed digital services tax that would have targeted American tech companies, after Trump called for its removal. The White House described the move as 'caving.' However, Dave said he's hopeful the relationship can improve. 'There's always optimism that we're going to return to some sense of normalcy at some point,' he said. Asked why they think Trump keeps returning to the idea of absorbing Canada, Yvonne paused. 'I don't know what's going on between those two ears on his head,' she said. 'Maybe it's historical. I think that desire to overtake Canada has always been there.' Or perhaps, she said, 'he just doesn't like a more socialist attitude being successful. Our social programs, I think, should be lauded and appreciated — especially our health care.' Ambrose added: 'I want to ask him this question: why do you want to make Canada the 51st state when Canada is much larger than the whole of the United States? 'It just can't happen.' Despite the political backdrop, the mood in Montreal was upbeat. 'It's a ceremony we've never really seen before,' said Yvonne. 'And it's kind of like, why not? Let's go see what it's all about and welcome new Canadians with open arms.' 'I think it goes back to that whole idea of a mosaic, rather than the melting pot south of the border,' said Dave. 'Trudeau senior called it more of a tapestry. We're interwoven. We rely on each other. I think we should value that.'
Toronto Star
an hour ago
- Toronto Star
Carney says values being tested by attacks on democracy in Canada Day speech
OTTAWA - Ottawa's Canada Day ceremony featured leaders touting national unity in a world shaken by wars, American threats and economic uncertainty. 'We've decided not to pull apart and fight, but to come together and to build. Because that's the Canadian way,' Prime Minister Mark Carney said to thousands of Canadians gathered in the nation's capital.
