Say NO to Bill C-63

Dear [MEMBERNAME],

I am very alarmed by the government's proposed Online Harms bill, C-63.  While the bill's stated intention of protecting children and other Canadians from such evils as child pornography and revenge porn is obviously good, unfortunately the bill contains several other elements that are unacceptable in a free society, and quite frankly un-Canadian.

For example, the following measures in C-63 are quite dangerous:
- Allegations of "hate" become a crime in itself, not just an aggravating factor in an actual crime.
- Hiding the identity of accusers (it's a sacred right in legitimate justice systems for the accused to face their accuser).
- Compelling gag orders on people hit with complaints.
- Up to $70,000 fines (this will have a chilling effect on Canadians' free expression).
- Up to a life sentence for promoting genocide (obviously genocide is evil, but "promoting" is an extremely slippery term, and somehow "genocide" has similarly expanded in meaning).
- The return of the former 'Section 13' rules in human rights tribunals, where truth is no defence.
- The ability to order house arrest or ankle monitors for people who have not been charged with any crime -- let alone found guilty!

I urge you to strip out any and all such elements in C-63 that threaten Canadians' freedom of expression, right to a fair trial, and other fundamental freedoms guaranteed in our Charter of Rights.  A country that does not respect these rights is not one that I would want to live in.  I'm sure that you don't want history to record that you supported a law that allows those in power to jail, fine, and silence anyone who dares to disagree with whoever happens to form government at the time.

If the government refuses to take out those measures, then Bill C-63 must be voted down.  Pass a different bill that protects against child pornography and similar evils, without trampling Canadians' rights to speak freely online.

Thank you.

(This message has been cc'ed to the Prime Minister, Justice Minister, opposition Justice shadow ministers, and members of the Justice committee.)

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