2nd Session, 41st Parliament,
Volume 149, Issue 121
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
The Honourable Pierre Claude Nolin, Speaker
Public Safety
Prevention of Cyberbullying
Hon. Mobina S. B. Jaffer: Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. As you know, today is Pink Shirt Day. Now that Bill C-13 to protect Canadians from cybercrime has passed, what measures proposed in this bill have been implemented by the government?
Hon. Claude Carignan (Leader of the Government): Honourable senator, as you know, these provisions will be implemented after Royal Assent. Law enforcement agencies will be responsible for enforcing them. As with any bill passed by this Parliament, we expect law enforcement agencies to enforce them properly.
Senator Jaffer: I have a supplementary question that addresses young people in particular. What has the government done to help young people who are marginalized and bullied?
Senator Carignan: Senator, as you know, there are a number of school-based projects to prevent cyberbullying. In 2012, $10 million in funding was committed to crime prevention. Thanks to our public awareness campaign called “Stop Hating Online,” Canadians can get information that will help them protect themselves and their families from online threats, including cyberbullying.
[English]
Senator Jaffer: Leader, I specifically asked you what is being done for the marginalized young people since this bill was passed.
[Translation]
Senator Carignan: Senator, as I said, there is strict oversight. If the police want to use one of the new powers that they have, then they must go to a judge to get a warrant. Procedures are in place to allow police to use preventive and investigative measures.
As far as prevention is concerned, as I said, money was committed and awareness campaigns were launched to combat cybercrime.