Not Reserving Judgment
Episode 27: Can the Trudeau government create $50,000 fines for 'harmful' speech?
Feb 28, 2024
Delve into the controversial Online Harms Act and its far-reaching implications for free expression in Canada. The proposed legislation threatens to impose hefty fines for 'harmful' speech while expanding the powers of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. Experts voice concerns over the chilling effects on open dialogue and the subjective nature of hate speech definitions. The discussion also critiques media portrayal surrounding online protection, raising vital questions about the balance between user safety and censorship.
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Quick takeaways
- The introduction of Bill C-63 raises concerns about free expression by broadly defining harmful content and increasing penalties for hate speech.
- The Online Harms Act empowers the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal to impose substantial fines for discriminatory speech, risking a chilling effect on open discourse.
Deep dives
Concerns Over Bill C-63 and Free Speech
Bill C-63 is an updated version of the previous Online Harms Act and raises significant concerns regarding free expression in Canada. It creates a Digital Safety Commission tasked with enforcing the removal of what is defined as harmful content, thereby enabling the government to influence what citizens can see online. Moreover, the bill introduces a new criminal offense for hate speech, which includes vague definitions that could potentially criminalize a wide array of speech and lead to a chilling effect on controversial or unpopular opinions. Many advocates fear that these broad powers will lead to increased self-censorship among individuals and media outlets as they navigate the complexities of what can be deemed 'harmful' content.
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