Liberal MPs endorse new internet censorship bill where 'hurtful' content is investigated

Federal Liberal MPs have endorsed Trudeau's internet censorship plan. They also suggested that the government should appoint a "Digital Safety Commissioner" who can investigate anonymous complaints if it is deemed to be "hurtful," according to Blacklock's Reporter.

The Liberal caucus said they would endorse the censorship plan, but only if there exists "proper due process" for those who have faced these anonymous allegations.

Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, who has earned a reputation for being something of a maverick, said the government has to "ensure there is a public process or due process."

"Fundamentally we need a public due process system to manage takedown by large platforms," he added.

The Trudeau government has made internet censorship a crucial part of its mandate. First, through Bill C-10, the government plans to regulate "user-generated content" on platforms like TikTok and YouTube.

Trudeau's former Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault spoke about the government's new internet Bill, saying "now this is going to be controversial. People think that C-10 was controversial. Wait until we table this legislation."

Their most recent plan will aim to make internet companies responsible for "hurtful content." Canadians will be able to complain anonymously so that this content is taken down. Trudeau has not yet defined what the government means by "hurtful," as hate speech is already illegal in Canada.

Conservative MP Michael Chong attacked this bill on Thursday saying, "I can say clearly that we don’t support censorship. We don’t support restrictions on freedom of the press."