Evening Update: Online harms bill would create new hate-crime offence, make platforms responsible

News Snapshot:

Good evening, let’s start with today’s top stories: The government is proposing a new standalone hate crime offence in its online harms bill, introduced Monday. Briefing documents indicate Bill C-63 would create a new hate crime offence with penalties of life imprisonment for especially egregious cases, rather than treating hate as an aggravating factor in crimes. The bill would also add a definition of hatred to the Criminal Code, consistent with Supreme Court decisions. Online platforms would have an overarching duty to act responsibly, make certain types of content inaccessible and protect children. They would have 24 hours to remove...