Skip to Main content

8.84°^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

alberta-introduces-bill-26-to-tighten-oversight-of-foreign-worker-recruitment

AlbertaApr 02, 2026

Alberta introduces Bill 26 to tighten oversight of foreign worker recruitment

The Alberta government has introduced Bill 26, the Immigration Oversight Act, aimed at increasing transparency in the recruitment of foreign workers across the province. According to a provincial government announcement, the proposed legislation would require all businesses to register with the province before hiring employees through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. The measure is intended to strengthen oversight and ensure employers follow provincial rules when bringing in workers from abroad. The bill also proposes a new licensing system for immigration consultants and recruitment agen

AlbertaApr 02, 2026

RCMP say highway shooting that killed international student not racially motivated, second suspect charged

Alberta RCMP say the fatal highway shooting of a 22-year-old international student from India was not motivated by race, as investigators confirm a second person has been charged in the case. Sgt. John Brown told a news conference Wednesday that the March 14 shooting near Leduc, south of Edmonton, does not appear to be linked to hate, road rage or a gang initiation. Birinder Singh was travelling with two friends toward the Rocky Mountains when a pickup truck driving alongside them made a hand gesture before shots were fired, according to RCMP. Police say a bullet struck Singh in the neck. One

AlbertaApr 02, 2026

Calgary signals end to water restrictions as feeder main repairs completed

Officials in Calgary say the city is on track to lift temporary water restrictions Thursday following the completion of repairs to the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, which ruptured in December. According to a City of Calgary update, pumps connected to the feeder main have been turned on and the system is now operational. Restrictions remain in place for now while crews monitor the pipe and overall water system to confirm stability. The city said if monitoring proceeds as expected, residents will no longer be asked to limit household water use, including shortening showers and reducing laundry, di

poilievre-proposes-temporary-federal-gas-tax-holiday-cites-cost-relief-for-drivers

CanadaApr 02, 2026

Poilievre proposes temporary federal gas tax holiday, cites cost relief for drivers

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling on the federal government to suspend gas taxes for the remainder of the year, saying the measure would provide immediate cost relief as fuel prices rise. In a press release issued Thursday, Poilievre said eliminating federal fuel taxes could save a family of four about $1,200 over the rest of 2026. He argued the policy would ease financial pressure on households facing higher transportation and food costs. “Canadians deserve affordable fuel and food,” Poilievre said in the release, adding that the proposal would allow seniors, families and wo

global-attention-turns-to-artemis-ii-launch-canadian-astronaut-among-crew

CanadaApr 01, 2026

Global attention turns to Artemis II launch, Canadian astronaut among crew

People in Canada and around the world are preparing to watch the launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission, which is set to send astronauts around the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years, according to NASA mission briefings. The crew includes Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, 50, of London, Ont., who will serve as mission specialist. The Canadian Space Agency says Hansen is expected to become the first non-American astronaut to travel beyond low Earth orbit. Hansen will fly alongside NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch. The mission is part of NASA’s Artemis p

Related News

Poilievre proposes temporary federal gas tax holiday, cites cost relief for drivers

Poilievre proposes temporary federal gas tax holiday, cites cost relief for drivers

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling on the federal government to suspend gas taxes for the remainder of the year, saying the measure would provide immediate cost relief as fuel prices rise. In a press release issued Thursday, Poilievre said eliminating federal fuel taxes could save a family of four about $1,200 over the rest of 2026. He argued the policy would ease financial pressure on households facing higher transportation and food costs. “Canadians deserve affordable fuel and food,” Poilievre said in the release, adding that the proposal would allow seniors, families and wo

Global attention turns to Artemis II launch, Canadian astronaut among crew

Global attention turns to Artemis II launch, Canadian astronaut among crew

People in Canada and around the world are preparing to watch the launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission, which is set to send astronauts around the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years, according to NASA mission briefings. The crew includes Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, 50, of London, Ont., who will serve as mission specialist. The Canadian Space Agency says Hansen is expected to become the first non-American astronaut to travel beyond low Earth orbit. Hansen will fly alongside NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch. The mission is part of NASA’s Artemis p

Surrey Police Service assumes Cloverdale policing as RCMP role ends after 75 years

Surrey Police Service assumes Cloverdale policing as RCMP role ends after 75 years

The Surrey Police Service has taken full responsibility for policing in Cloverdale as of Friday, marking the end of more than 75 years of service by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the area. The transition applies across the Cloverdale district, from 196 Street east to the borders of Fleetwood and Newton, and from the Fraser River south to 48 Avenue. Policing in Whalley and City Centre, Newton, and South Surrey had already been transferred to the municipal force in earlier phases. The RCMP will continue operating in Guildford on an interim basis until the city’s full policing transition

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital