Élisabeth Brière

Mr. Speaker, Procedure · 23 wordsI am truly grateful for this opportunity to speak to a topic that matters so much to me and to our fellow citizens.Procedure Positioning · 24 wordsThe digital safety act is not a response to some naive or made-up concern, nor are the proposals within it based on wishful thinking.Positioning Reasoning · 60 wordsIt addresses a need that Canadians have been telling us about for some time. The whole world must contend with new realities, and it is time for our country to evolve and adapt to those realities. There is no doubt these challenges will keep getting bigger as technology evolves and as the people we represent require protection from new threats. The ask · 17 wordsLet us wait no longer. Let us show that Canada knows how to evolve with the times. Positioning · 22 wordsLet us also demonstrate, once again, what Canada is made of: We act for the good of all, including our young people.Positioning Claims · 48 wordsOther G7 countries have passed legislation in response to this threat targeting our young people. For example, Australia has already enacted legislation raising the minimum age for social media access to 16.¹ Here in this country, all Canadians, including parents and guardians, expect us to take action too. Reasoning · 27 wordsJust as concerns about teenagers’ access to social media platforms are well founded, the age proposed to allow them to access these platforms is also not random. Claims · 15 wordsIt has been shown that the digital landscape is not safe for children under 16. Positioning · 14 wordsFor these children, the scales are more likely to tip towards harms than benefits.Positioning Claims · 24 wordsSetting a limit for children under 16 is consistent with scientific research, as well as with what other jurisdictions around the world have done. Procedure · 5 wordsLet me share some statistics.Procedure Claims · 35 wordsIn 2023, Canadian police recorded 19,516 incidents of online child sexual exploitation over the course of the year.² Again, there were 19,516 incidents of online child sexual exploitation over a 12‑month period in our country. Reasoning · 14 wordsThat amounts to more than two cases per hour, every hour, over one year. Positioning · 5 wordsThat is unacceptable and alarming.Positioning Claims · 18 wordsThis was a 59% increase over the previous year and a 500% increase over just a few years.³ Reasoning · 31 wordsWe can therefore conclude that the longer we wait before taking real and effective action to put an end to this type of appalling behaviour, the more it will increase exponentially. The ask · 13 wordsWe must work together to address this threat, because there is still time. Positioning · 29 wordsBill C-34 is not a quick fix or a band-aid solution. Bill C‑34 is not just about demonstrating that we are fulfilling our duty to protect Canada’s young people.Positioning Claims · 76 wordsIt is supported by many expert organizations, including the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, the Canadian Paediatric Society, Kids Help Phone and the youth advocacy sector.⁴ I would also note that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child encourages the protection of young people from information or material that is injurious to their well-being.⁵ Bill C‑34 will ensure that we are in compliance with international ethical standards. Procedure · 9 wordsI would like to come back to some statistics.Procedure Reasoning · 31 wordsWhile social media cannot be blamed for everything, it is clear that its impact extends beyond physical safety of our kids, because it also has an impact on their mental health. Claims · 17 wordsRates of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation have risen exponentially among young Canadians over the past year. Procedure · 14 wordsI would like to reiterate some of the figures my colleagues have already highlighted.Procedure Claims · 17 wordsAmong Canadians aged 15 to 24, rates of depression have doubled, ⁶while rates of anxiety have quadrupled.⁷ Reasoning · 32 wordsWithout a robust bill such as Bill C-34, these statistics will continue to rise. These statistics represent the next generation of Canadians and the impact this has on their individual life paths. Procedure · 15 wordsI do not have enough time today to provide all the statistics on this subject.Procedure Claims · 26 wordsFor example, I did not mention that one in four young people between the ages of 12 and 17 in this country report having been cyber-bullied.⁸ Positioning · 6 wordsOne in four is a lot.Positioning The ask · 24 wordsWe cannot allow this situation to keep getting worse. Instead, we should help young people experience this brief period of their lives in safety, Reasoning · 21 wordsas most of us had the opportunity to do, without being exposed to the same level of harm they face today. Anecdote · 24 wordsAt the very least, the far more limited exposure many of us experienced likely spared us some of the dangers and mental health challenges.Anecdote The ask · 15 wordsNow is the time to step up and demonstrate that we care about our children. Thanks · 12 wordsI would also like to acknowledge my riding’s efforts in this regard.Thanks Claims · 107 wordsSherbrooke is at the forefront of efforts to protect young people online. One notable local initiative was spearheaded by a group of law students at the Université de Sherbrooke. Last spring, they drafted a bill to address the harmful effects of excessive screen time on young people.⁹ Among other things, the bill would ban access to Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat for those under 16.¹⁰ During a visit to the legislative buildings in Quebec City, the students said that they specifically targeted these apps because they are addictive. They also drew parallels with the arguments that led to the prohibition of alcohol and tobacco for minors.