MacKay Says Cyberbullying Laws to pass in spring

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Refuting claims that the government’s new anti-cyberbullying gives police too much unnecessary authority to snoop into the online lives of Canadians, Justice Minister Peter MacKay alleged that it in fact strikes the “proper balance.” According to the newly proposed law, titled “Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act,” it will be a crime to distribute intimate images online without the consent of the person who is the subject of the photo.

In addition to that, the omnibus bill also attempts to amend the Criminal Code’s wiretapping provisions to cover electronic communications. Mr. MacKay alleged that he hopes the new bill will pass this spring and become part of the Criminal Code before Parliament recesses for the summer. This is the second version of such bill presented by the Harper government, as the previous version was withdrawn due to extreme criticism alleging that it allows extraordinarily easy access for authorities to intercept electronic communications.

In comments made after conversing with junior high school students on Thursday to launch the government’s new public awareness campaign against cyberbullying, Mr. MacKay alleged that a series of television, online ads and a website is aimed at educating teenagers and their parents about the criminal consequences of online bullying and sending intimate images. He mentioned that “cyberbullying should not be a normal part of growing up.” Additionally, Mr. MacKay stressed that “before you hit send you have to think about what you are sending.”