Hon. Julie Miville-Dechêne: Senator Moreau, yesterday in the House of Commons, Minister Miller tabled Bill C-34, the long‑awaited safe social media act. My Senate colleagues know that I’ve worked long and hard on the issue of protecting children from online harms, especially pornography. I’m pleased that this government has been listening.

It’s my understanding that Bill C-34 will prevent young people under 16 from accessing pornography spread via social media. Am I right, and how long do we have to wait until this measure takes effect?

Hon. Pierre Moreau (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you, Senator Miville-Dechêne. Much like your colleagues, I, too, am aware that you support this cause and that you have worked very hard on this issue to protect children and to save them from the harm they might suffer as a result of such situations.

My understanding of the scope of Bill C-34 is the same as yours. It will of course be examined by the committees in the other place and here in the Senate when it is referred to us.

The government intends to proceed as quickly as possible. However, as you know, the House of Commons and the Senate are both sovereign chambers. I can’t provide a date for when the bill will be referred to the Senate, but the government intends to proceed as quickly as possible, no doubt in collaboration with our colleagues in the official opposition.

Senator Miville-Dechêne: Here’s hoping.

What’s less clear is whether Bill C-34 will also prevent minors from accessing all dedicated pornography sites, such as Pornhub. These are not social media platforms, but rather dedicated sites. Could you clarify this aspect of the bill to reassure parents?

Senator Moreau: I can’t tell you at this point what the bill will look like since it is not final yet. It could be amended between the time it’s introduced and when it’s passed by the House of Commons.

However, I can assure you, Senator Miville-Dechêne, that I spoke to Minister Miller myself and I told him that you are a real expert in this area and that he would be well advised to speak to you to see whether there are any improvements that can be made to the bill once we have a better idea of its scope. He told me that he intended to contact you directly about this.