Kevin Lamoureux

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 43 wordsat the beginning of my comments, I will emphasize that the government, coming out of the last federal election, made commitments to Canadians in regard to the Internet and how we can protect children.¹ That is really what Bill C-34 is all about.Procedure Claims · 33 wordsIf we were to canvass and talk to the constituents we represent, we would find that there is genuine concern in regard to some of the harmful things that are on the Internet. Positioning · 14 wordsThe bill is not meant to replace parents but is rather to support parents.Positioning Claims · 40 wordsThe Internet is 24-7.Off point There are things on it that are very harmful, particularly for children 16 and under, and there is a role for government to play. We have seen other countries take action, as we are taking action.Vague promise The ask · 40 wordsI appeal to my colleagues across the way to listen to what is being expressed through our constituents, which is genuine concern over the harmful things that take place on the Internet, and vote accordingly in regard to Bill C-34. Positioning · 23 wordsThe bill is a solution, in good part, that would protect and complement what parents have to go through in raising a child.Positioning Anecdote · 30 wordsThe Internet did not exist when my children were young, and I can only imagine what parents today have to go through given the seven-day-a-week, 24-hour availability of the Internet.Anecdote Claims · 20 wordsThe Internet is going to power our economy and society in many positive ways; there is no doubt about that, Off pointReasoning · 13 wordsbut to ignore the potential harm, particularly to our children, would be irresponsible. Claims · 31 wordsWe have had other private members’ bills on the issue of our children and what is on the Internet that causes problems. I made a note of some of those things. Positioning · 8 wordsWe can think of what harmful content is.Positioning Claims · 87 wordsI have heard Conservatives talk about it, and obviously many members of the Liberal caucus have had opportunities both inside and outside of the House to talk about it. These are the types of discussions that take place in our communities. There are things such as sexually victimizing a child, revictimizing a survivor, using intimate content without the consent of the person and inducing a child to harm themselves. Just the other day, a Conservative MP was talking about an incident where committing suicide was being promoted. Positioning · 9 wordsUnfortunately, these are the types of things we see.Positioning Claims · 21 wordsThey are things that promote extreme hatred or violence, or that deal with issues like terrorism and the promotion of terrorism. Positioning · 44 wordsOne could easily classify these things, I would suggest, as harmful content. It is one thing to talk about harmful content. I suspect if we were to canvass the House, we would find virtually unanimous consent that there is harmful content on the Internet.Positioning The question · 22 wordsThe challenge I put across the way to my Conservative friends in particular is, what are they prepared to do about it? Claims · 12 wordsBill C-34 has an action that would protect children and support parents. Reasoning · 22 wordsThat is why I believe it is time for us to not only talk about this, but look at taking substantial action.Vague promise Claims · 28 wordsThe establishment of an independent digital safety commission is long overdue.² It would have a profound, positive impact on the children of Canada no matter where they live. The ask · 67 wordsIf members believe that there is harm on the Internet and we have a role to play in Ottawa, I suggest that supporting an independent digital safety commission is something they ought to be voting in favour of. If they cannot vote in favour of it, I believe they owe an explanation to their constituents as to why they do not see the merit in doing that. Claims · 24 wordsHaving a commission that has the ability to ensure there is a higher sense of responsibility and duty to act responsibly is critically important. The ask · 5 wordsWe could regulate service providers, Claims · 21 wordsas an example, to assess and mitigate risks in the form of a report, with a sense of accountability and transparency.⁴ The ask · 30 wordsWe could enable the commission to do the follow-through, to the degree that it would have the ability to go after the major players, not only here but also abroad, Claims · 51 wordsand levy fines.⁵ These are all ways in which we can play a role in protecting the children of Canada by having a ban on social media content for children under the age of 16, with the opportunity for some exceptions if they are proven to be safe for our children.³ Positioning · 4 wordsThis is good legislation.Positioning The ask · 15 wordsI hope every member of the House will get behind it and vote for it.