BREAKING: Erin O’Toole calls on Justin Trudeau to withdraw internet censorship bill, pledges to repeal if elected

A statement by O'Toole reads:

"In a democratic society, abuses of power and authority can and should be called out without fear of retribution. Social media has rapidly become the platform for this purpose, from cellphone videos of interactions with police to social media posts by survivors of sexual assault and harassment leading to the #MeToo movement.

"But in the midst of a pandemic, while Canadians are stuck at home and relying on social media for information, connectivity, and entertainment more than ever before, the Liberal government is quietly moving to radically change how Canadians use the internet.

"In a society that values freedom of speech and expression, Bill C-10 leaves the door open for a massive abuse of power on the rights of Canadians. “Canada’s Conservatives support creating a level playing field between large foreign streaming services and Canadian broadcasters, and championing Canadian arts and culture. A Conservative government would do so without compromising Canadians’ fundamental rights and freedoms.

'We are calling on Justin Trudeau to withdraw Bill C-10 today. If this is not done, a Conservative government will stand up for Canadians and repeal this deeply flawed legislation. While the NDP and the Bloc may look the other way on the freedom of expression, Canada’s Conservatives will not.”

The bill has drawn harsh criticism from across the political spectrum with multiple experts voicing serious concerns over its potential violations of freedom of speech. Critics include the former commissioner for the CRTC itself.

In an interview with The National Post, Former CRTC commissioner Peter Menzies said that Bill C-10 "doesn’t just infringe on free expression, it constitutes a full-blown assault upon it and, through it, the foundations of democracy."