Canada's Bill C-34 and Online Hate Campaign Face Public Backlash

Edmonton Police Service posted a video urging citizens to report online comments it labelled as hateful, warning that "online hate isn’t just a comment" and directing users to a reporting page. The campaign was quickly removed after criticism that the examples shown were offensive rather than criminal, with MP Andrew Lawton and former Harper aide Howard Anglin warning it could chill free speech under the expanded definition of hate in Bill C-9.

The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms released a report warning that Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, would require Canadians to prove their identity—through ID, biometrics or bank details—to use social media and give an unelected Digital Safety Commission sweeping powers to police speech and AI conversations. Critics say the bill treats all users as suspects, imposes fines up to $10 million or 3 % of global revenue, and could lead to widespread surveillance of private online interactions.