John Brassard

“Mr. Speaker, I was saying that a group of students from the faculty of law at Université de Sherbrooke had drafted a bill setting the minimum age for accessing social media at 16. They drew a parallel with substances such as alcohol and tobacco. Obviously, these substances are comparable not only because they are addictive but also because of their adverse effect on health. This student-led initiative resulted in Bill 796 in Quebec City and received unanimous support when it was introduced in June 2026. I would also like to highlight the commitment of the Sherbrooke region’s school services centre, which has launched a program called “Social Media: Connected, Safe and Legal” to provide parents with resources on cybersecurity, cyber-bullying, and privacy. This brings me to the concerns that some of my colleagues may have about this bill. Freedom of expression is a known and important concern, but it is fully integrated into the bill we are proposing. Young people under the age of 16 will still be able to express themselves online. The only difference is that they will do so on platforms that are not considered addictive and that will not put them in harm’s way. The commission created under this act will also have the authority to exempt services from this minimum age requirement as long as they provide adequate child protection guarantees. My colleague, the member for Outremont, aptly said in her speech last week: “Safety must be a design choice too.” Canadians want us to take effective action on solving this problem. We should also keep in mind that the digital platforms already apply a default condition that requires users to be at least 13 years of age. This bill would raise that condition only slightly but would produce considerable benefits. Healthy children are the foundation of a healthy society. Honestly, I fear for the state of our society in the not-too-distant future if we fail to adapt to the forces that are disrupting it. The fact is that Canada is fully capable of responding proactively to the changes brought about by this new digital era. We have a fundamental obligation to today’s young people and to future generations. Everyone gathered here today is already aware of these issues. We know they are gaining momentum, so let us get to work. Let us ensure that our laws keep pace with society’s needs. The House sees its share of disagreements, and that is healthy. Debating the issues that Canadians care about and working together to move our great country forward is part of our job description as members of Parliament. When it comes to keeping kids safe, we should all agree on one thing: We have to protect them as much as possible without infringing on their rights. That should be something we can all agree on. Less than a month from now, on November 20, we will celebrate National Child Day, as we do every year. On this occasion, I will think of all the children, especially our own, and of our great responsibility to them.”