While CCLA endorses Bill C-63’s declared purposes of upholding public safety, protecting children, and supporting marginalized communities, we are of the view that this Bill, in its current form, enables blatant violations of expressive freedom, privacy, protest rights, and liberty. It also undermines the fundamental principles of democratic accountability and procedural fairness by granting sweeping powers to the new Digital Safety Commission. It is crucial that both parliamentarians and the public be given enough time to properly address the many flaws of this Bill.
Parts Two and Three of the Bill raise concerns regarding disproportionate sentencing measures, chilling effects on free speech, as well as practical inefficiencies. That is why, on May 7, 2024, CCLA joined a call by civil society organizations, academics and experts to ask the government to separate Parts Two and Three of the Bill so that they may be subject to independent parliamentary consideration, and thus the scrutiny and broad public consultation they deserve.
The joint letter is here.
The joint press release is here.
About the Canadian Civil Liberties Association
The CCLA is an independent, non-profit organization with supporters from across the country. Founded in 1964, the CCLA is a national human rights organization committed to defending the rights, dignity, safety, and freedoms of all people in Canada.
For the Media
For further comments, please contact us at media@ccla.org.
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