Analyzing the Online Harms Bill and Its Impact on Free Speech in Canada

On Episode 27, we do a deep dive into the new Online Harms Act, introduced this week as Bill C-63. The act would create a Digital Safety Commission, increase the penalties for criminal hate speech, allow judges to impose peace bonds on people who might commit hate speech in the future, and empower the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal to fine people up to $50,000 for discriminatory speech.

Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode:

• An Act to enact the Online Harms Act (Bill C-63)
• Online harms bill’s proposed changes risk silencing free speech, experts warn
• One cheer for the new Online Harms Act (Andrew Coyne)
• CCF concerned by Online Harms Act
• Keaan Bexte tweet
• Joanna Baron: The government doubles down on censoring the internet

Not Reserving Judgment is a podcast about Canadian constitutional law hosted by Josh Dehaas, Joanna Baron, and Christine Van Geyn.

The show is brought to you by the Canadian Constitution Foundation, a non-partisan legal charity dedicated to defending rights and freedoms. To support our work, visit theccf.ca/donate.