QUESTION PERIOD — Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Protection of Minors in Pornographic Industry
March 10, 2020
My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. As you know, a growing number of people are condemning Pornhub for hosting child pornography and other videos uploaded without the consent of the participants.
Last August, Minister Ralph Goodale warned web companies that if they did not regulate their content, the government could adopt legislation that would make them financially liable for abuse suffered by young victims. Is that still the plan? Is the government working on legislation that would reassure Canadians and protect women and children?
Thank you for the question. I also want to thank you for your interest in this plan and your dedication to this cause. What you described was disgusting, period.
I am not aware of the bill you mentioned. That being said, I am told that the government remains committed to ensuring that the existing legislation and our criminal justice laws promote the safety of both individuals and the Canadian public as a whole.
I have a few contacts among journalists, and it seems that this issue is being raised in the other place at this very moment. I don’t know if anyone has informed you, but Ministers Guilbeault and Lametti just told reporters that the government is open to creating a bill on cyberhate, which could address this issue.
Do you have more specific information about this?
No. The short answer is no, I don’t have more information. However, I can say on behalf of all senators that, as soon as the bill is introduced, it will be studied with great interest, not only in the other place but in the Senate as well. Thank you for this question.
