New Democrats will not make their position known on a bill aimed at preventing minors from accessing sexually explicit content online.
The legislation proposes requiring websites like Pornhub to verify the age of their users. Privacy experts warn that the measure is too broad and risks violating free speech.
The Liberal government opposes the private member’s bill, but the New Democratic Party (NDP), the Bloc Québécois and the Conservatives voted in favor of sending it to a House of Commons committee for study.
The committee only heard from three witnesses, including the senator who proposed the bill, which the NDP blames on the Conservatives.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre for saying a Conservative government would adopt a similar measure, saying it would mean Canadians would have to hand over personal information to “questionable websites.”
The bill would need NDP support to pass, and public safety critic Alistair MacGregor says his party will carefully consider its options.
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