Skip to Main content

5.67°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment 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

richmond-rcmp-appealing-for-witnesses-after-serious-two-vehicle-collision

Richmond RCMP appealing for witnesses after serious two-vehicle collision

Richmond RCMP are asking the public to come forward with any information after a midday collision last month left a motorcyclist in critical condition. Police say the crash happened on October 23 at the intersection of No 4 Road and Odlin Road, an area that sees steady commuter and commercial traffic. According to RCMP, an officer driving through the neighbourhood shortly after 12:00 p.m. came upon the scene involving a grey Yamaha R7 motorcycle and a black Volvo XC90. The motorcyclist was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition. Police have not relea

csis-warns-of-chinese-and-russian-espionage-targeting-canadas-arctic-development

CanadaNov 13, 2025

CSIS warns of Chinese and Russian espionage targeting Canada’s Arctic development

Canada’s top intelligence official says foreign spies from China and Russia are actively targeting governments and companies involved in developing the country’s Arctic region. In a national security address on Thursday, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) director Dan Rogers said his agency has observed sustained intelligence-gathering activities in the North, with both public institutions and private industry being approached or monitored by foreign actors. Rogers noted that non-Arctic countries, particularly China, are seeking to expand their economic and strategic presence in

suspect-arrested-after-multiple-vehicles-vandalized-in-new-westminsters-west-end

Suspect arrested after multiple vehicles vandalized in New Westminster’s West End

New Westminster police say a man has been arrested following a string of property damage incidents that left at least 14 vehicles and two businesses with smashed windows in the city’s West End earlier this week. Officers first responded to the 1500 block of Dublin Street around 11:45 p.m. on November 11 after receiving a report of a car alarm. The vehicle’s owner found the window broken, and witnesses later reported a person on a bicycle damaging other vehicles in the area. Despite an initial search, police were unable to locate the suspect that night. About two hours later, officers were

ottawa-moves-closer-to-expanding-citizenship-rights-for-canadians-born-abroad

CanadaNov 13, 2025

Ottawa moves closer to expanding citizenship rights for Canadians born abroad

Canada is nearing a major reform to its citizenship laws that could restore and extend rights to thousands of people born outside the country. Bill C-3, which cleared the House of Commons on November 5 and passed second reading in the Senate the following day, is now scheduled for detailed study by a Senate committee on November 17. The proposed legislation aims to broaden citizenship by descent, addressing long-standing gaps that left many children of Canadian parents without automatic citizenship due to restrictive provisions in past laws. If passed, the bill would also make it easier for in

surrey-home-hit-by-second-extortion-linked-shooting-police-say

CanadaNov 13, 2025

Surrey home hit by second extortion-linked shooting, police say

Surrey RCMP are investigating after a home in the city’s south end was struck by gunfire for the second time in what investigators believe is an extortion-related attack. Police say officers responded to reports of shots fired around 7:35 p.m. Wednesday near 32 Avenue. No one was injured, but investigators confirmed the same residence had previously been targeted. Authorities say the case remains in its early stages and that officers are working with specialized units and partner agencies to determine whether the incident is connected to other recent extortion-related shootings across Metro

Related News

Richmond RCMP appealing for witnesses after serious two-vehicle collision

Richmond RCMP appealing for witnesses after serious two-vehicle collision

Richmond RCMP are asking the public to come forward with any information after a midday collision last month left a motorcyclist in critical condition. Police say the crash happened on October 23 at the intersection of No 4 Road and Odlin Road, an area that sees steady commuter and commercial traffic. According to RCMP, an officer driving through the neighbourhood shortly after 12:00 p.m. came upon the scene involving a grey Yamaha R7 motorcycle and a black Volvo XC90. The motorcyclist was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition. Police have not relea

CSIS warns of Chinese and Russian espionage targeting Canada’s Arctic development

CSIS warns of Chinese and Russian espionage targeting Canada’s Arctic development

Canada’s top intelligence official says foreign spies from China and Russia are actively targeting governments and companies involved in developing the country’s Arctic region. In a national security address on Thursday, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) director Dan Rogers said his agency has observed sustained intelligence-gathering activities in the North, with both public institutions and private industry being approached or monitored by foreign actors. Rogers noted that non-Arctic countries, particularly China, are seeking to expand their economic and strategic presence in

Suspect arrested after multiple vehicles vandalized in New Westminster’s West End

Suspect arrested after multiple vehicles vandalized in New Westminster’s West End

New Westminster police say a man has been arrested following a string of property damage incidents that left at least 14 vehicles and two businesses with smashed windows in the city’s West End earlier this week. Officers first responded to the 1500 block of Dublin Street around 11:45 p.m. on November 11 after receiving a report of a car alarm. The vehicle’s owner found the window broken, and witnesses later reported a person on a bicycle damaging other vehicles in the area. Despite an initial search, police were unable to locate the suspect that night. About two hours later, officers were

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital