Minister Peter MacKay Discusses Cyberbullying with Local Students

RIVERTON, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - June 12, 2015) - Department of Justice Canada

Introduction

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Peter MacKay, today met with students, parents and staff of Dr. W. A. MacLeod Consolidated School to discuss the dangers of cyberbullying and to raise awareness of measures the Government has taken to help keep Canadians, in particular youth, safe from online crime.

New legislation, the Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act, which came into force in March, makes it a criminal offence to share an intimate image of a person without their consent. The new laws will help law enforcement officials better protect young Canadians from cyberbullying and other forms of online exploitation.

To raise awareness of the tremendous harm cyberbullying can cause, the Government also launched the anti-cyberbullying campaign Stop Hating Online in January 2014. This is a comprehensive resource for parents and youth that includes information, advice, and tools needed to help identify, prevent and stop cyberbullying. In addition, the Government also launched a video to demonstrate the profound impact that words can have: an interactive YouTube experience, #WordsHurt.

The Government of Canada has introduced several measures to stand up for victims of crime and help ensure the safety of young Canadians. This includes introducing Bill C-26, the Tougher Penalties for Child Predators Act; introducing Bill C-32, the Victims Bill of Rights Act, and bringing forward a new law to make the reporting of child pornography by Internet Service Providers mandatory.

Quick Facts

• Legislation enacted in March 2015 makes it an offence to share an intimate image of a person without their consent.
• This legislation also empowers a court to:
  • Order the removal of intimate images from the Internet;
  • Order forfeiture of a computer, cell phone or other device used in the offence;
  • Provide for reimbursement to victims for costs incurred in removing the intimate image from the Internet or elsewhere; and
  • Make an order to prevent someone from distributing intimate images
• The Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act provides police with the necessary means to investigate crime in today's high-tech environment while maintaining judicial checks and balances to protect Canadians' privacy.

Quotes

"We are pleased to be welcomed today by students, parents and staff of Dr. W. A. MacLeod Consolidated School to discuss ways of putting an end to some of the most harmful forms of cyberbullying. Through recently enacted legislation, our Government is demonstrating its commitment to the safety of our children and youth, and providing law enforcement with the tools they need to protect our most vulnerable citizens from acts of cyberbullying and other forms of online exploitation. Our Government has taken important steps to better protect Canadians, in particular our youth, against this type of vicious behaviour."

Peter MacKay

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Related Products

- Backgrounder: The Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act

- Backgrounder: Myths and Facts Bill C-13

- Fact sheet: Privacy Protection and the Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act

Associated Links

- See www.canada.ca/cyberbullying for information on the Protecting Canadians Against Online Crime Act.

- For more information on Bullying Awareness Week, visit www.bullyingawarenessweek.org.

- To report online sexual exploitation of children and to seek help for exploitation resulting from the sharing of sexual images, visit Cybertip.ca and NeedHelpNow.ca.

- For information on protecting yourself and your family against online threats, including cyberbullying, visit GetCyberSafe.

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