Canada: Consultation closed on proposed online harms regulation

The consultation on the Canadian Government's plan to regulate social media and to combat harmful content online closed on 25 September 2021, after opening on 27 July 2021. The plan consists of both a new legislative and regulatory framework and a modification of the existent framework. In addition to the proposed amendments under Bill C-36, the discussion guide suggests to set out a statutory requirement for respective entities to take necessary measures to make harmful content inaccessible within Canada and to be more transparent in their operations. Further, the regulated entities would have to notify law enforcement and CSIS of specific types of content (Mandatory Reporting Act and CSIS Act). Furthermore, the framework outlines the entities that would be impacted, the type of content to be regulated, and proposes the creation of two new regulatory bodies and an Advisory Board to oversee and enforce the new rules. The Canadian government intends to introduce a bill in the fall of 2021.