
Canada is building a digital firewall. 🇨🇦🧱 We investigate Bill C-63, the Online Harms Act, a sweeping piece of legislation designed to force social media giants to police the internet. We break down why critics are calling it a "censorship machine" while advocates say it's the only way to save kids from algorithmic violence.
1. The "Bully-Victim" Crisis: We analyze the data driving the law. With 37% of Canadian students reporting online cruelty and 11% facing severe, persistent harassment, the government argues self-regulation has failed . We discuss the "bully-victim" dynamic, where empathetic kids are drawn into online wars, blurring the line between aggressor and target .
2. The 6% Fine: We expose the hammer. The bill empowers a new Digital Safety Commission to levy fines of up to 6% of global revenue on platforms that fail to remove harmful content within 24 hours . We explain the "Moderator's Dilemma": faced with ruinous fines, platforms will inevitably over-censor lawful speech to stay safe, effectively privatizing government censorship .
3. The Life Sentence for Hate Speech: The most controversial clause. We dive into the proposed Criminal Code amendment that could introduce life imprisonment for "hate-motivated" crimes. Critics warn this creates a terrifying legal precedent where a minor offense like graffiti could carry the same penalty as murder if deemed "hateful," risking a chilling effect on political dissent .