Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner introduced new legislation Thursday aimed at boosting online protections for Canadians — particularly children — while avoiding broad powers that could threaten civil liberties.Bill C-216, tabled by the Calgary Nose Hill MP, builds on a previous proposal from the last Parliament and includes a narrow duty of care requirement for online platforms to safeguard young users. It would also toughen mandatory reporting obligations for internet providers regarding child sexual abuse material.The legislation proposes modern updates to the Criminal Code, including provisions to criminalize the non-consensual sharing of intimate images involving artificial intelligence-generated content such as deepnudes. It also expands protections for victims of online harassment.Rempel Garner said the bill is designed to strike a balance between enhancing safety and preserving rights. “It avoids the creation and use of ubiquitous and overbroad mechanisms that would impinge on Canadian civil liberties,” she said.She urged the federal government to drop what she called flawed past proposals and adopt “smart measures to protect kids online.”
