The government’s legislation, which seeks to rein in hate speech and illegal pornography, is necessary because Canadians should be able to expect the same level of safety online as they do in their homes and communities, Arif Virani said in a speech at Toronto’s Empire Club. (The Logic)

Talking point: Virani notably thanked Meta’s “very good corporate citizenship and great collaboration” with the government—a nod to Big Tech’s support of Bill C-63, despite the industry’s broader opposition to increased regulation. Virani also spoke of the necessity to have a separate hate speech provision, saying it extends online a protection already afforded Canadians in the physical world. In the U.S., Virani said, 47 of the 50 states have similar standalone provisions. “I will put it to you that the existence of these statutes […] has not resulted in a constitutional crisis south of the border,” he added.