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COMMENTARY

Calls for Government Action Grow as Online Harms Rise 

By Angus Lockhart and André Côté

As Prime Minister Carney’s government takes office, Canada stands at a pivotal moment for digital policy. The online world has become central to public life, shaping how we connect, communicate, and consume news. But it has also become increasingly unsafe. From misinformation and hate speech to the rise of deepfakes and AI-generated abuse, the digital public square is evolving faster than our ability to govern it. Canadians want action. Rebooting the online safety agenda must be a top priority for this government.

New data from the Dais’ sixth national Survey on Online Harms, which polled Canadians 16 and older, confirms what many Canadians already experience: the internet is becoming a more hostile place. Online harms—including misinformation, hate speech, identity fraud, and non-consensual explicit content—are on the rise, especially for marginalized and vulnerable communities, and younger Canadians.

The rapid emergence of generative AI further compounds these issues. Deepfakes and other AI-generated content aren’t just theoretical risks—they’re already shaping how misinformation is created, shared, and believed. Nearly 70 per cent of Canadians report seeing synthetic media and deepfakes online in the last year, a sharp increase from 2024. This is not a future problem; it’s happening now.

Yet even as digital tools become more integral to our daily lives, trust in social media companies, like Meta and X, continues to decline. TikTok, despite its popularity, is the least trusted company of all. ChatGPT creator, OpenAI, also sits among the least trusted companies. For accessing news, Canadians increasingly rely on social media, especially younger people, but they don’t trust what they see. Facebook is the top social media source for news, yet Facebook blocks access to trusted news sources in Canada. 

These paradoxes—deep reliance, paired with deep distrust—underline the need for strong, coordinated action.

Canadians aren’t just frustrated; they are ready for reform. The Dais’ survey reveals strong majority support for robust regulation, including mandatory removal of child sexual abuse material and content that incites violence, and clearer labelling of AI-generated content. Most strikingly, 69 per cent of respondents believe that the federal government should require platforms to act responsibly—clear evidence of a public appetite for systemic change.

The call to action is especially urgent for communities disproportionately affected by online harms. Younger people, racialized Canadians, recent immigrants, people with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ residents are far more likely to encounter hate speech and abuse online. In a digital democracy, safety cannot be a privilege—it must be a right.

So where should Prime Minister Carney’s government begin?

First, reframe online safety as a core democratic issue, not a niche tech or policing concern. Protecting Canadians from coordinated harassment, algorithmic amplification of hate, and AI-driven misinformation is inseparable from protecting democratic discourse.

Second, pass and implement updated online safety legislation. The previous government tabled Bill C-63 to regulate harmful content online. That legislation must be revisited, strengthened, and passed—ideally with built-in accountability, transparent oversight, and clear timelines for enforcement.

Third, invest in public digital literacy tools and programs. Canadians are trying to manage the risks of digital life on their own, but most find current support insufficient. Government support can help level the playing field and promote digital and civic literacy through education programs targeting youth and adults alike.

The digital public square has outgrown the patchwork of old norms and outdated laws that currently govern it. The public has spoken clearly: they want platforms held to account, not left to self-regulate. Prime Minister Carney’s government has a rare opportunity—and a clear mandate—to act.

Canadians are online. They are paying attention. And they are asking for bold leadership. It’s time to deliver.