A coalition of civil society organizations, academics, and experts, including CMPAC, Amnesty International Canada, and the Canadian Association of University Teachers, have united in a joint open letter directed to Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Arif Virani, expressing profound reservations regarding pivotal sections of Bill C-63, the Online Harms Act. This letter urgently calls for the separation of Parts Two and Three of the bill for independent parliamentary scrutiny. It highlights concerns that proposed amendments to the Criminal Code and Human Rights Act could severely restrict free expression and burden the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Moreover, it warns of the potential for abuse within the proposed procedural framework, emphasizing the need for transparent public deliberations. Access the full text of this plea for legislative prudence and public accountability here.
