Eric Melillo Fighting Against Private Speech Bill

My Conservative colleagues and I have been fighting to protect freedom of expression. That’s why I was disheartened to learn that the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois will be supporting the Liberals’ draconian Bill C-10.

This Bill, which gives the CRTC the power to regulate the internet, is a serious threat to the freedoms of Canadians. The Liberals even removed a section exempting “user-generated content” – effectively saying that the government should have the power to regulate what private citizens post on their personal social media channels.

The Liberals partially backed down and pledged to amend the Bill to preserve private speech. But even with this promised amendment, C-10 is still overreaching and irredeemably flawed.

It should not be passed.

We’re not the only ones saying this. Civil liberties advocates and telecommunications experts have all condemned this Bill. Former CRTC Commissioner Peter Menzies has called C-10 a “national embarrassment” and a “full-blown assault” on freedom of expression. University of Ottawa’s Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-Commerce Law, warns that the Bill could impact everything from news sites and streaming services to videogames and audiobooks.

I am disappointed that the NDP and Bloc have chosen to support this dangerous piece of legislation. It is clear that Canada’s Conservatives are the only ones who can be trusted to stand up for freedom of speech.