Canada proposes $200 million for new censorship office
A censorship office being proposed by Canada’s Liberal Party will cost taxpayers upwards of C$200 million ($146,400), the government’s Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) revealed Thursday.
Digital law enforcement
Bill C-63, also known as the Online Harms Act, would create a Digital Safety Commission to crack down on seven types of social media content. These include not only child pornography but also “content that foments hatred”; incitement to violence, violent extremism, and terrorism; and content that causes children to self-harm.
The Digital Safety Commission would enforce “digital safety” regulations by forcing social media companies to remove all offending content and imposing hefty fines on companies that fail to comply. The commission would be supported by a Digital Safety Ombudsman and a Digital Safety Office.
This digital safety complex is expected to be staffed with 330 full-time employees, costing taxpayers at least C$201 million ($147,128,804), according to a PBO report published Thursday. “[T]he costs may be higher if the Digital Safety Commission, Ombudsperson or Office decides to employ significant external legal, IT or consulting services after reaching their full capacity,” the report added.
Life imprisonment for hate crimes
If passed, the Online Harms Act will also make significant changes to Canada’s Criminal Code. Hate crimes, for example, would be punishable by life in prison. Hate crime victims could receive $20,000 for pain and suffering. Taxpayers could be forced to wear ankle monitors if there are “reasonable grounds” to believe they will commit a hate crime. They would also be placed on probation and could have their gun permits revoked.
The legislation is expected to pass its Second Reading in the House of Commons, after which it will proceed to the Senate.
‘[T]oday's PBO analysis must raise alarm bells over the amount of money the Liberals are proposing to spend to create a bureaucracy that isn't likely to protect Canadians, but that is likely to dramatically impinge upon their civil liberties,” said Canadian MP Michelle Rempel Garner.
“Canadian taxpayers will likely be stuck footing the bill for a massive bureaucracy that will allow Big Tech companies to negotiate favourable terms with non-elected regulators behind closed doors,” she added.
