Skip to Main content

9.2°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Nov 29, 2023 9:52 PM - The Canadian Press

Online harms bill: Don't link boy's suicide with government actions, Trudeau says

Share On

online-harms-bill-dont-link-boys-suicide-with-government-actions-trudeau-says

Trudeau first promised to introduce legislation tackling hate speech, terrorist content and sexual abuse material in the 2019 federal election campaign. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says it's inappropriate to draw a link between government actions and the death of a British Columbia boy who killed himself last month after falling prey to online sextortion.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh referred to the death of the 12-year-old in Prince George, B.C., during question period today as he asked Trudeau when the Liberal government will table long-promised legislation designed to mitigate online harms.

Trudeau first promised to introduce legislation tackling hate speech, terrorist content and sexual abuse material in the 2019 federal election campaign.

He made a similar promise in the 2021 contest, specifying that a re-elected Liberal government would table a bill within its first 100 days, but it has yet to do so.

Trudeau told MPs today that the government needs to strike the right balance between freedom of expression and addressing the needs of communities subject to "discrimination and marginalization."

The prime minister also cautioned against "associating a tragedy that happened in Prince George with actions or inactions of any particular government," adding in French that it was inappropriate to make such a connection.

Latest news

AlbertaOct 22, 2026

Alberta Reports Sharp Rise in Flu Cases, 5 Deaths and 26 ICU Admissions

Alberta is seeing a significant rise in influenza cases well before the official flu season begins. As of October 11, the province had recorded 366 laboratory-confirmed flu cases, compared with just 42 during the same period last year. Hospitalizations have also increased, with nearly 300 Albertans hospitalized due to influenza since August. Among them, 26 patients, including two young children, have required intensive care. Five people have died from influenza since August, including four in the Calgary zone. Flu vaccines became available to the general public on October 19. So far, approxima

four-palestinians-killed-in-israeli-strikes-and-gunfire-in-gaza

WorldOct 22, 2026

Four Palestinians Killed in Israeli Strikes and Gunfire in Gaza

At least four Palestinians were killed in separate Israeli strikes and shooting incidents in the Gaza Strip on Thursday. According to Gaza health officials, two people were killed in an attack on a car in Gaza City. A Palestinian cyclist was killed in an attack in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, while a woman died in gunfire near the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the incidents. Israel has accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire by rearming and carrying out attacks. Hamas has rejected the allegations, accusing Israel of undermining the

air-canada-to-cut-five-u-s-routes-in-2027-amid-falling-demand

CanadaOct 22, 2026

Air Canada to Cut Five U.S. Routes in 2027 Amid Falling Demand

Air Canada has announced plans to gradually discontinue several U.S. routes, including all direct flights to South Carolina, citing declining passenger demand and rising operating costs. Starting in 2027, the airline will cancel services on five routes, including flights from Vancouver to Nashville and Raleigh-Durham, as well as Toronto Pearson to Charleston. The decision is expected to affect Canadian “snowbirds” who travel to South Carolina during the winter months. The Toronto–Charleston route was the only direct flight connecting Canada to the city. Air Canada said it is adjusting it

70% of Vancouver Voters Back Ban on Public Drug Use

Nearly 70% of Vancouver voters supported banning the open use of drugs such as heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl in public spaces, according to a non-binding question included alongside the municipal election ballot. Meanwhile, 68% supported urging the provincial government to build a secure medical facility with more than 100 beds at the site of the former St. Paul’s Hospital for patients struggling with severe mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Both questions were added to the ballot at the request of former Mayor Ken Sim. However, newly elected Mayor Pete Fry describ

AlbertaOct 22, 2026

Two Alberta Ridings Vote in Favour of Separating from Canada

A majority of voters across Alberta supported remaining in Canada in the recent referendum. However, two provincial ridings showed majority support for moving forward with the process toward a second referendum on separation. According to unofficial results from Elections Alberta, only two of the province’s 87 electoral districts recorded majority support for advancing the process. In Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre, located north of Calgary, 51.1 per cent of voters supported the move, while 50.5 per cent in Central Peace-Notley in northwestern Alberta backed further steps toward another

Related News

Air Canada to Cut Five U.S. Routes in 2027 Amid Falling Demand

Air Canada to Cut Five U.S. Routes in 2027 Amid Falling Demand

Air Canada has announced plans to gradually discontinue several U.S. routes, including all direct flights to South Carolina, citing declining passenger demand and rising operating costs. Starting in 2027, the airline will cancel services on five routes, including flights from Vancouver to Nashville and Raleigh-Durham, as well as Toronto Pearson to Charleston. The decision is expected to affect Canadian “snowbirds” who travel to South Carolina during the winter months. The Toronto–Charleston route was the only direct flight connecting Canada to the city. Air Canada said it is adjusting it

70% of Vancouver Voters Back Ban on Public Drug Use

70% of Vancouver Voters Back Ban on Public Drug Use

Nearly 70% of Vancouver voters supported banning the open use of drugs such as heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl in public spaces, according to a non-binding question included alongside the municipal election ballot. Meanwhile, 68% supported urging the provincial government to build a secure medical facility with more than 100 beds at the site of the former St. Paul’s Hospital for patients struggling with severe mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Both questions were added to the ballot at the request of former Mayor Ken Sim. However, newly elected Mayor Pete Fry describ

Melanie Joly Gives Cleveland-Cliffs 15 Days to Reinstate 500 Laid-Off Stelco Workers

Melanie Joly Gives Cleveland-Cliffs 15 Days to Reinstate 500 Laid-Off Stelco Workers

Canada’s Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has issued a 15-day ultimatum to Cleveland-Cliffs, the U.S. parent company of Hamilton-based steelmaker Stelco, demanding that it reinstate approximately 500 laid-off workers or face legal action. The federal government says Cleveland-Cliffs agreed not to carry out layoffs in Canada until 2029 when it acquired Stelco in 2024. However, the company has defended the job cuts by citing tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Canadian steel. Joly has warned that the government could take the matter to court, potentially forcing Cleveland-Cliffs t

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital