The proposal is a component of the most recent Online Harms Bill, which the left-wing government of Justin Trudeau is putting out in an attempt to exert control over online discourse.
According to The National Post:
“Bill C-63 proposes to tighten the reporting of child pornography, require social media, user-uploaded adult material, and live-streaming services to restrict exposure to online information deemed harmful, better combat hate propaganda, and offer remedies to victims of hate speech online.”
“It also alters the Criminal Code to enhance the maximum punishments for hate propaganda offenses from five years to life imprisonment for promoting genocide, as well as to introduce a new standalone hate crime offense with penalties up to life imprisonment to prevent hateful conduct.”
Certain elements, such as the prohibition of child pornography and other adult content, are undoubtedly commendable. The description of what the government considers “hate propaganda,” however, is what should worry all conservatives.
As the past ten years have shown us time and again, the liberal establishment’s definition of “hate speech” frequently serves as a cover for punishing and suppressing those who openly disagree with their progressive worldview.
The left frequently distorts even the notion of “genocide,” with many framing resistance to transgenderism as a call for the eradication of all those who experience gender dysphoria. In actuality, the term “genocide” describes an attempt to exterminate a racial, ethnic, or religious group.
The legislation also calls for the establishment of a Digital Safety Commission, whose job it is to ensure that internet platforms follow all applicable norms and enforce them. It will also create a position of Digital Safety Ombudsperson, whose duties would include “making recommendations to both social media sites and governmental agencies, delivering help, and advocating user interests.”
Earlier this month, RedState also revealed that the Canadian government intends to make it unlawful to advocate for fossil fuels by declaring that doing so “would result in positive outcomes in relation to the health of Canadians, the environment, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, or the Canadian or global economy.”
The great thing about the First Amendment in the United States is that, in spite of the left’s greatest attempts, such totalitarian legislation could never be enacted here. Of course, it will only happen if the left manages to retake the US Supreme Court. Thus, savor your liberty while it persists.
