Alberta introduces legislation to expand sexual exploitation definition

The Alberta government has introduced Bill 36, the Supporting Alberta Families Statutes Amendment Act 2026, to modernize the province’s definition of sexual exploitation. Introduced by Children and Family Services Minister Searle Turton, the legislation aims to better protect children and youth from digital threats.

If passed, the bill will update the Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act to include modern online harms. The new definition will encompass online grooming, cyber luring, coercion, the trading of sexual acts, child sexual abuse material (CSAM), trafficking, and electronic abuse conducted in exchange for money, food, shelter, drugs, or protection.