Issue
Digital Rights
Online privacy, social media regulation, and digital access
Where parties stand
Compare side-by-side- Bloc QuébécoisBLOC
Supported the Online News Act as essential for Quebec's francophone media ecosystem. Quebec's Law 25 sets stricter privacy standards than federal law; Bloc opposes federal override.
- Conservative Party of CanadaCONSERVATIVE
Opposes C-18 and C-63 as government censorship. Supports protection of online speech, cybersecurity investment, and would repeal portions of the Online Harms Act perceived as overreach.
Supports strong privacy law, platform accountability, net neutrality, banning facial recognition by police, and the right to repair as digital-economy fundamentals.
- Liberal Party of CanadaLIBERAL
Sponsored the Online News Act (C-18) and the Online Harms Act (C-63). Bill C-11 (2026) brings AI accountability and bias-audit requirements to high-impact systems.
Supports stronger privacy law modernization (replacing PIPEDA), platform accountability, and net neutrality. Cautious about C-63's enforcement mechanisms.
Bills affecting this issue
- C-9Federal45-1In committee
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda, hate crime and access to religious or cultural places)
- C-22Federal45-1In committee
An Act respecting lawful access
Civil-liberties groups have flagged the encryption-backdoor portions.
- C-5Federal45-1Royal assent
An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act
- C-36Federal44-1Royal assent
An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023
- S-7Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Customs Act and the Preclearance Act, 2016
CBSA personal-device search safeguards — brings border practice in line with the Charter.