Discussion · Government Orders
Ruby Sahota Liberal
“I want the House to pass this bill to keep Canadians safe online. Social media platforms spread harmful content, and their rules are not consistent. This bill sets basic safety rules for all platforms and defines what harmful content must be stopped, including content that sexually abuses children.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to participate in second reading debate on Bill C-34, the safe social media act. Our government is focused on supporting victims of crime as well as the important work of protecting Canadians online. My time today will focus on how the bill would address these priorities through the types of harmful content covered and why it is necessary in protecting Canadians online. While the online world continues to evolve, and our digital reality continues to change, platforms, self-expression and the exchange of information have given rise to a new set of challenges. Online platforms have algorithms designed for harmful content to spread and multiply, exposing users to terrible harm. Some platforms have limited rules, community standards or terms of service. However, those definitions, thresholds and practices vary hugely from service to service. One platform may label or remove content, but another may even promote it, creating visible inconsistencies and significant gaps in protection. Canadians should be able to rely on a minimum baseline safety standard across all platforms. Bill C-34 would do this by defining specific categories of harmful content, including the following seven categories: content that sexually victimizes a child or revictimizes—”
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to participate in second reading debate on Bill C-34, the safe social media act. Our government is focused on supporting victims of crime as well as the important work of protecting Canadians online. My time today will focus on how the bill would address these priorities through the types of harmful content covered and why it is necessary in protecting Canadians online. While the online world continues to evolve, and our digital reality continues to change, platforms, self-expression and the exchange of information have given rise to a new set of challenges. Online platforms have algorithms designed for harmful content to spread and multiply, exposing users to terrible harm. Some platforms have limited rules, community standards or terms of service. However, those definitions, thresholds and practices vary hugely from service to service. One platform may label or remove content, but another may even promote it, creating visible inconsistencies and significant gaps in protection. Canadians should be able to rely on a minimum baseline safety standard across all platforms. Bill C-34 would do this by defining specific categories of harmful content, including the following seven categories: content that sexually victimizes a child or revictimizes—