Canada’s Government Plans to Make Online Hate Speech a Punishable Crime
Recently Canada’s Liberal Government disclosed their plans to make online hate speech a crime, for now, it was just a statement or their thinking for making this a part of the law. According to the news, the hate speech crime will be punishable by fines of up to $20,000 (approximately $16,250 US) for the first offense and $50,000 (about $40,600 US) for the second offense. Although the legislation they proposed excludes social media platforms for now.
Why they are making hate speech crimes? Maybe because of the recent incident that happened in Canada where a 20 y/o man killed a whole Muslim family including a little child with his truck in the southwestern Ontario town of London on June 6 and the police stated that this crime was inspired by hate.
During a live season on YouTube Justice Minister David Lametti stated that "The actions we are taking today will help protect the vulnerable, empower those who are victimized and hold individuals to account for the hatred they spread online,”.
He also stated that “Hate speech directly contradicts the values underlying freedom of expression and our Charter of Rights. It threatens the safety and well-being of its targets. It silences and intimidates, especially when the target is a vulnerable person or community. When hate speech spreads, its victims lose their freedom to participate in civil society online.”
The proposed adjustments will help people to launch complaints against the person who is doing hate speech on the internet which includes social media, on personal websites, and in blog posts - as well as operators of websites.
Although General David Lametti also proposed the law and clearly stated that this would not target “simple expressions of dislike or disdain” during his conference on YouTube.
Hate speech is not stated as a crime in Canada yet. But making hate speech crimes will help to stop crimes because the internet is full of toxic people they just spread hate and emotionally hurt other people because none is there to stop them.
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