The Liberal's Plan for Internet Censorship
The Liberal's Plan for Internet Censorship
How to help with BC Flooding, the Liberal's reject the Conservative call for PCR test removal, Upcoming Parade of Lights
The Liberal’s Plan for Internet Censorship
The Liberal government has given notice that within the first 100 days they will table, perhaps as early as next week, a new online censorship law similar to the widely criticized C-10 from the last Parliament with additional parts from C-36 that was publicly labelled as dealing with hate speech online. Hate speech is already covered in the Criminal Code section 319. There is no text yet of the proposals but based on a public consultation held by the federal government during the federal election we know some of the potential details they are looking at, and the alarm bells should be ringing for anyone who values free speech or searching online for their favourite content.
Embedded in the proposals under consideration is closer cooperation of the RCMP and CSIS, Canada’s national security agency, and most worrying of all new data collection powers that would include the collection of basic subscriber information without having to comply with section 21 warrant requirements. This will reduce judicial oversight of CSIS in this data collection exercise when looking at online harms.
The Liberal government is also looking to create a digital safety commissioner to oversee the new internet censorship regime with the potential ability to order takedown of materials within 24 hours that is deemed harmful. There would also be a Digital Recourse Council of Canada for complaints in situations where a provider refuses to remove content and some hearings could be conducted in secret under certain circumstances. This is worrying. There is a risk here of overzealous investigations and enforcement. The proposals seem to also put on an equal footing all forms of online social harm, from abusive child pornography to user-generated content involving rudeness or bad jokes. The new enforcement powers being proposed have been suggested in some European countries and have met broad-based pushback from civic society groups from the Left and the Right who worry about enforcement and censorship.
Of all the challenges facing Canada, from runaway inflation to ongoing job losses from the government response to the pandemic to supply chains being choked by layers of new government regulations; online censorship should be relegated to a secondary or tertiary priority but sadly it looks like the parliamentary fight that ended in the last session of Parliament before the federal election will have to be repeated.
Then conservative parliamentarians ensured C-10 did not pass into law in the last Parliament. I can assure you I will continue to defend the right of Canadians to access online content freely, to see their favourite YouTubers freely, and to be able to communicate with each other online without fear of government surveillance. I was then and continue to be a defender of free speech as will all of my colleagues.
Help for BC Flooding
Like many constituents, I was shocked by the tragedy of the natural disaster unfolding in British Columbia.
BC’s Emergency Support Services (ESS) is the lead organization for disaster response - please visit www.ess.gov.bc.ca if you’d like to volunteer or learn about other ways you can help.
Emergency Management BC has advised that Salvation Army BC is also taking a lead on organizing donations to evacuees throughout Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Hope and the Fraser Canyon. If you would like to donate, please contact langleydrc@tstores.ca or Tel: (604) 513-8828 ext.112
Some initial, trusted organizations accepting donations are listed below. Please remember to perform your due diligence and verify the legitimacy of any organization or online donation page before donating.
The Red Cross has also set up a donation portal here: www.redcross.ca
Abbotsford’s Archway Community Services is a local organization also accepting donations: www.archway.ca
Liberals Fail to Listen to Experts on PCR Tests
Last week, Conservatives called on the Liberals to remove the PCR test requirement for individuals coming back into Canada. The media has reported that the Liberal government will announce that they are removing the PCR test requirement for trips under 72 hours. These proposed changes are confusing and don’t make sense for the tourism industry.
Canada’s Conservatives believe that decisions regarding testing requirements for entry into Canada should be informed by the best available science and rely on the advice of public health experts.
Nowhere in the advice from the Trudeau government’s COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel did it include the need for a PCR test for fully vaccinated travellers leaving Canada for more than 72 hours or that fully vaccinated foreign travellers to Canada need a PCR test.
When Parliament resumes on Monday, I intend to raise this issue with the Liberals and seek more clarity for Calgary Shepard constituents.
Auburn Bay and Mahogany Parade of Lights
On November 27th, I will be passing out hot chocolate at the Auburn Bay Parade of Lights, and at the Mahogany Parade of Lights on December 4th. Each parade will begin at 5 pm. I am looking forward to hearing your questions and concerns and enjoying the start of the holiday season together.
Magnitsky Act Sanctions Needed Against Kazakh Official
I have long been an advocate for a principled stance when it comes to Canadian advocacy for human rights overseas. The human rights situation in Kazakhstan has been steadily deteriorating since 2018 and I recently met with dissidents and activists on the subject. I wrote to the Minister of Foreign Affairs asking that Azamat Iztleuov, a prison official, be sanctioned under the Canadian Magnitsky Act for his role in the torture and abuse of former political prisoner, Iskander Yerimbetov, a successful businessman and brother of a prominent Kazakh human rights defender. You can read my letter below.