Home » Resolutions » Resolution 2025-3 SUPPORT FOR CANADA’S ONLINE HARMS ACT TO PROTECT CHILDREN IN DIGITAL SPACES
Resolution 2025-3 SUPPORT FOR CANADA’S ONLINE HARMS ACT TO PROTECT CHILDREN IN DIGITAL SPACES
Submitted by: Souris Home and School Association
Resolution Content
WHEREAS the digital world poses significant risks to children, including sexual exploitation, promotion of self-harm, bullying, and exposure to hateful content, and
WHEREAS Bill C-63, introduced to the House of Commons on February 26, 2024, by Justice Minister Arif Virani, proposes a new Online Harms Act to create regulations that hold social media services accountable for reducing exposure to harmful content on their platforms, and
WHEREAS on December 4, 2024, Virani announced the Liberals’ online harms legislation will now proceed on two different tracks with one bill to tackle protections for children, combating online child sex predators and policing revenge porn and the second bill to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and Criminal Code to deal with inciting violence, terrorism or engaging in hate speech (1.), and
WHEREAS the Online Harms Act specifically targets seven types of harmful content, including content that sexually victimizes children, content used to bully children, and content that induces children to harm themselves, and
WHEREAS the proposed legislation aims to promote online safety for all Canadians, with a specific emphasis on children’s physical and mental health, and
WHEREAS the Act would establish a Digital Safety Commission of Canada to administer the framework and a Digital Safety Ombudsperson of Canada to be a resource for users and victims, and
WHEREAS the implementation of an Online Harms Act in Canada is a critical step in protecting children in digital spaces and promoting their safety, health, and well-being online;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the PEI Home and School Federation requests the Government of Canada to enact the Online Harms Act, with a focus on measures that protect children from online exploitation, bullying, and harmful content, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the PEI Home and School Federation calls upon social media platforms and online service providers to fully comply with the requirements of the Online Harms Act, implementing comprehensive safety measures to protect children and youth using their services.
BACKGROUND:
1. Liberals split online harms bill to postpone debate over policing hate speech Minister says protecting kids from violent threats, child sex predators, revenge porn will be a priority CBC Dec. 4, 2024 https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberal-government-split-online-harms-bill-1.7400882
~Passed as presented, April 12, 2025
Saturday, April 12, 2025
| Destination: | Department of Justice and Public Safety Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Minister of Justice and Attorney General of PEI Premier of PEI |
Responses Received
Minister of Education and Early Years, Hon. Robin Croucher, June 11/25:
The DEEY is supportive of seeing the federal government reintroduce the Online Harms Act to help protect children and youth as well as requiring social media platforms to be responsible corporate citizens in protecting youth throughout the country.
From a provincial perspective, the government is developing a Provincial Youth Cyberviolence Prevention Strategy. It is important that government and its agencies, parents, caregivers, and the community develop a shared understanding of how best to promote a safer online environment, and to equip youth with the tools to protect themselves from the occurrence of, and the lasting effects of, cyberbullying. Currently, interdepartmental work is underway to prioritize actions and required resources in order to move to the next step. The plan is to thave the strategic action plan drafted and ready for approval in late 2025.
PEI Public Schools Branch, Tracy Beaulieu, June 26/25:
Although this item does not explicitly name the Public Schools Branch in the ‘Destinations’ section, we wish to express our full support for and advocacy of this resolution.
Office of the Prime Minister, J. Genge, July 16/25:
On behalf of the Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada,I acknowledge receipt of your correspondence dated June 12, 2025, relating to the Online Harms Act. I regret the delay in replying. Please be assured that the remarks you offer on behlaf of Prince Edward Island Home and School F ederation Inc. have been carefully read.
As you have also sent your communication to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportuniities Agenday, teh Honourable Sean Fraser, and the Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, the Prime Minister will leave the issues you raise to be considered by the Ministers.
Than you, once again, for writing.