We will target online hate speech, exploitation and harassment, and do more to protect victims of hate speech.

Social media is a powerful tool – it connects us to our family and friends, lets us be a part of important social movements, and helps us learn about people whose different views can challenge or strengthen our own.

At the same time, it can also be used to threaten, intimidate, bully and harass people – or used to promote racist, anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, misogynist, and homophobic views that target communities, put people’s safety at risk, and undermine Canada’s long-standing commitment to diversity. We believe that when social media platforms are used to spread these harmful views, the platforms themselves must also be held accountable.

To help stop the proliferation of violent extremism online, we will move forward with new regulations for social media platforms, starting with a requirement that all platforms remove illegal content, including hate speech, within 24 hours or face significant financial penalties. This will also include other online harms, such as radicalization, incitement to violence, exploitation of children, or creation or distribution of terrorist propaganda.

Because hate speech continues to harm people offline as well, we will also look at options for civil remedies for victims of hate speech.