Ottawa, ON – Rachael Harder, Conservative Shadow Minister for Digital Government, and Alain Rayes, Conservative Shadow Minister for Canadian Heritage, issued the following statement after the Liberals and the Bloc Québécois shamefully colluded to try to ram Bill C-10 through Parliament, which aims to regulate the social media content of everyday Canadians:

“Weeks ago, the Trudeau Liberals withdrew the section of their own bill that protects individual users’ content, making Canadians subject to broad and vague government powers to regulate their use of the internet, including on apps and social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook. Since then, Conservatives have fought daily to protect the freedom of speech of Canadians against attacks by the Liberals.

“We have been hearing from experts and Canadians from all walks of life who are worried about the Liberals’ plan to restrict freedom of speech by regulating the internet. But now, they are taking it even further. Today, the Liberals are trying to shut down debate on Bill C-10 at committee stage, ramming the bill through Parliament. This extreme tactic has only been used three times in history – with no government having used this tactic for over 20 years. 

“Shutting down debate on a bill widely condemned for its attacks on freedom of speech sets a very dangerous precedent. If this controversial bill is rammed through without sufficient debate, a Conservative government will stand up for Canadians and repeal this deeply flawed legislation. Only Canada’s Conservatives will keep on fighting for the freedoms of Canadians.”