Canada’s revived Online Harms Act proposes life imprisonment for hate speech and allows authorities to detain citizens for crimes they haven’t yet committed.
Key Takeaways
- The revived Online Harms Act includes “precrime” provisions allowing for house arrest or surveillance of individuals suspected of potential future hate crimes
- Penalties are severe, including possible life imprisonment for promoting genocide and 12-month sentences for refusing to comply with precrime measures
- Senator Kristopher Wells, linked to Trudeau’s Liberal government, is pushing to resurrect the bill that lapsed before the last election
- Critics, including the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, warn that the legislation threatens free speech with its overly broad definitions
- Similar censorship efforts have repeatedly been attempted by the Canadian government, with previous Bill C-36 also lapsing due to an election
Orwellian “Pre-Crime” Powers Proposed
The Canadian Online Harms Act, formerly known as Bill C-63, has reemerged under the championing of Senator Kristopher Wells, representing a deeply concerning expansion of government censorship powers. This legislation enables authorities to take preemptive legal action against individuals merely suspected of potentially committing hate crimes in the future. The bill’s sweeping provisions allow for placing citizens under house arrest or electronic surveillance without requiring them to have committed any crime, effectively implementing a “precrime” system reminiscent of dystopian fiction.
“We need the ability to stop an anticipated hate crime from occurring,” said Arif Virani, Justice Minister.
Those who refuse to comply with these preventative measures could face up to 12 months imprisonment. This sets a dangerous precedent wherein expressing certain political or religious viewpoints online could potentially lead to surveillance and detention, even when no actual crime has been committed. While the bill ostensibly aims to protect children from online exploitation, its reach extends far beyond that narrow focus into regulating speech across all digital platforms.
I am sure Trudeau would be shocked that anyone could get away with saying something like that. 😲
Liberal Hate Speech Efforts Under Trudeau:
Bill C-36 (2021):
Introduced on June 23, 2021, this bill aimed to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to reintroduce a provision similar…— Bit by Bit ⚡️ (@bitcornage) May 16, 2025
Severe Penalties for Speech Offenses
The penalties proposed in the Online Harms Act are extraordinarily harsh by Western democratic standards. Promotion of genocide could result in life imprisonment, while the bill’s broad and vague definitions of “hate speech” leave significant room for subjective interpretation and potential abuse. The legislation places the Canadian Human Rights Commission in charge of investigating complaints, raising concerns about inconsistent enforcement and ideological bias in determining what constitutes prohibited speech.
“The broad criminal prohibitions on speech in the bill risk stifling public discourse and criminalizing political activism,” warned the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.
Senator Wells has been explicit about his intentions, emphasizing what he describes as the need for a stronger government stance against certain forms of expression. This aligns with his previous advocacy for policies that have challenged traditional religious principles in education and supported conversion therapy bans. The bill has passed its first reading in the House of Commons but requires further approvals to become law.
Pattern of Censorship Attempts
The revival of this legislation represents the latest in a series of attempts by the Canadian government to implement digital speech controls. The previous iteration, Bill C-63, failed to come to a vote before the election, similar to its predecessor, Bill C-36, which also lapsed in 2021. These repeated efforts demonstrate a persistent agenda to expand government authority over online expression, despite significant opposition from free speech advocates and civil liberties organizations.
“I believe Canada must get tougher on hate and send a clear and unequivocal message that hate and extremism will never be tolerated in this country, no matter who it targets,” stated Kristopher Wells.
While the current status of the bill’s revival remains uncertain, with Senator Marc Gold declining to speculate on future legislative actions, the push continues. Justice Minister Virani has publicly called for opposition parties to support the legislation, saying, “The Conservatives need to get on board. Now.” This aggressive posture toward implementing such far-reaching speech restrictions reflects a troubling authoritarian tendency inappropriate for a nation that claims to value liberal democratic principles.
