The Government’s commitment to address online safety

Online platforms are increasingly central to participation in democratic, cultural and public life. However, such platforms can also be used to threaten and intimidate Canadians and to promote views that target communities, put people’s safety at risk, and undermine Canada’s social cohesion or democracy.

The Government of Canada is committed to putting in place a transparent and accountable regulatory framework for online safety in Canada. Now, more than ever, online services must be held responsible for addressing harmful content on their platforms and creating a safe online space that protects all Canadians.

Expert advisory group

The Government of Canada has established an expert advisory group on online safety, mandated to provide the Minister of Canadian Heritage with advice on how to design the legislative and regulatory framework to address harmful content online and how to best incorporate the feedback received during the national consultation held from July to September 2021.

The expert advisory group, composed of twelve individuals, will participate in up to 10 planned workshops on the components of a legislative and regulatory framework for online safety, including an introductory workshop and a summary concluding workshop.

The Government is committed to undertake its work with the expert advisory group in an open and transparent manner.

• Terms of Reference
• Background — expert advisory panel

Each advisory group session will be supported by a worksheet made available to the group in advance. The goal of these worksheets is to support the discussion and organize feedback and input. The ideas and language shared are intended to represent a starting point for reaction and feedback. Neither the group’s advice nor the preliminary views expressed in the worksheets constitute the final views of the Department of Canadian Heritage nor the Government of Canada. These worksheets are published below.

After each meeting of the expert advisory panel, a non-attributed summary of input and the discussion will also be published here.

Introductory Session

• Introductory Worksheet
• Introduction Workshop Summary

Session One – Subjects of Regulation

• Session One Worksheet
• Session One Summary

Session Two – Objects of Regulation

• Session Two Worksheet
• Session Two Summary

Session Three – Legislative and Regulatory Obligations

• Session Three Worksheet
• Session Three Summary

Session Four – Regulatory Powers

• Session Four Worksheet
• Session Four Summary

Session Five – Risk-Based Approach

• Supplementary Worksheet: Subjects of Regulation
• Supplementary Worksheet: Objects of Regulation
• Supplementary Worksheet: Legislative and Regulatory Obligations
• Session Five Summary

Session Six – Freedom of Expression and Other Rights

• Session Six Worksheet
• Session Six Summary

Session Seven – Connection to Law Enforcement

• Session Seven Worksheet
• Session Seven Summary

Session Eight – Disinformation

• Session Eight Worksheet
• Session Eight Summary

Previous Consultations

From July 29 to September 25, 2021, the Government published a proposed approach to address harmful content online for consultation and feedback. Two documents were presented for consultation:

1. A discussion guide that summarized and outlined an overall approach.
2. A technical paper that summarized drafting instructions that could inform legislation.

An overview of submissions to the consultation can be found here.