It’s Time to Enforce Canadian Laws on Social Platforms.
Ben Waldman
The US is on the edge and Canada may not be far behind.
Every day, Canadians log on to platforms built under American rules where hate speech is protected. That unchecked rhetoric flows across our border freely, straight into our feeds, emboldening extremists and fueling violence here at home.
The U.S. is on the edge and Canada may not be far behind. Every day, Canadians log on to platforms built under American rules where hate speech is protected. That unchecked rhetoric flows across our border freely, straight into our feeds, emboldening extremists and fuelling violence here at home. The RCMP and Statistics Canada report a rise in hate crimes and threats. CSIS is warning about ideologically motivated extremism. The signs are right in front of us, and have been for a long time. This isn’t to say Canadians are innocent. We’ve exported our own extremists. But that’s exactly why we have laws against hate speech here: because hateful words lead to hateful actions. In the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk and yet another school shooting in Colorado – – just days before a nationalist “Canada First” rally in Toronto — it’s time we stand up for our values and enforce our Charter and laws online. This is about accountability, safety, and democracy. We already make U.S. companies follow Canadian rules when they sell financial services, process payments, or put products on our shelves. Social media platforms should be no different. It’s time for us to say: if platforms want Canadian users, they must respect Canadian law. Full stop.
The RCMP and Statistics Canada report a rise in hate crimes and threats. CSIS is warning about ideologically motivated extremism. The signs are right in front of us, and have been for a long time.
This isn’t to say Canadians are innocent. We’ve exported our own extremists. But that’s exactly why we have laws against hate speech here: because hateful words lead to hateful actions.
In the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk and yet another school shooting in Colorado – – just days before a nationalist “Canada First” rally in Toronto – – it’s time we stand up for our values and enforce our Charter and laws online.
This is about accountability, safety, and democracy.
We already make U.S. companies follow Canadian rules when they sell financial services, process payments, or put products on our shelves. Social media platforms should be no different.
It’s time for us to say: if platforms want Canadian users, they must respect Canadian law. Full stop.
Ben Waldman is the CEO and co-founder of Gander social. For 25 years, he’s worked at the intersection of design, technology, and social impact, helping public institutions, non-profits, and mission-driven orgs tell better stories, serve their communities, and navigate digital transformation.
