Liberal Government Planning Regulations To “Protect Canadians Online”
Politicians say ‘protect,’ they often mean ‘control.
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA ~~~~~~~ January 14, 2021 (LSN) politicians say ‘protect,’ they often mean ‘control. Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault and the Liberal government have announced they will be introducing regulations to ‘protect Canadians online.
According to Blacklock’s Reporter, the legislation will be designed to ‘curb’ ‘hurtful or offensive’ social media posts:
“Cabinet will introduce 2021 regulations to curb Twitter and Facebook posts deemed hurtful or offensive, says Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault’s department. Hate speech is already forbidden under 1970 amendments to the Criminal Code: “We want to protect Canadians online.””
The point that hate speech is already illegal is important to note.
The government has existing legal and legislative authority to confront hate speech, whether it happens online or offline.
Yet, rather than using that authority, the government is seeking more authority and more legislation.
And this has many people understandably concerned, because when politicians say ‘protect,’ they often mean ‘control.’
We have seen that through the current virus crisis, where politicians have moved in an increasingly authoritarian direction while justifying it as being about ‘protecting’ people.
As a result, there are legitimate concerns that the federal government will seek to further limit what people can say, in a way that is about protecting political interests rather than confronting true hate.
Trudeau wants to turn back clock on free speech
Appears feds really want to target speech that offends Liberals
Federal Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault plans to introduce legislation and regulations this year to “protect Canadians online” when using social media.
Be very afraid.
“We intend a comprehensive approach with the tabling of a bill in early 2021 that will apply to the various platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.),” according to a briefing note from his department on “Regulation of Social Media Platforms” to “promote a safer and more inclusive online environment.”
“Social media platforms,” it continues, “can … be used to threaten, intimidate, bully and harass people, or used to promote racist, anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, misogynistic and homophobic views that target communities, put people’s safety at risk and undermine Canada’s social cohesion or democracy.”
Other government documents cite child pornography.
But as Blacklock’s Reporter noted in reporting on the issue, we already have criminal laws against hate speech — and for that matter against child pornography, harassment, uttering threats and civil laws against libel and slander.
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