Canada's federal government says it will not compromise on efforts to protect children online, even as trade tensions with the United States continue and concerns emerge about potential opposition from Washington.
Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller reaffirmed the government's position during an interview with CTV's Question Period, stating that children should not become part of broader political or trade negotiations. His comments come as Ottawa pushes forward with Bill C-34, known as the Safe Social Media Act, which aims to restrict access to social media platforms for users under the age of 16.
Bill C-34 represents the Liberal government's third attempt to address concerns surrounding harmful online content. If approved, the legislation would prohibit children under 16 from accessing social media platforms unless companies receive exemptions by meeting specific safety requirements.
Although the bill is expected to pass due to the Liberals' majority position in Parliament, implementation will not happen immediately. The House of Commons is expected to adjourn for the summer, delaying further progress until the fall session.
Even after becoming law, the proposed framework would require the creation of a new regulator responsible for setting safety standards and enforcement mechanisms. Officials estimate that the system could take at least 18 months to become fully operational.
Speaking about the issue, Miller stressed that the government's focus remains firmly on protecting young people from potential dangers associated with online platforms.
He said there is a clear distinction between economic and trade matters and policies intended to safeguard children. According to the minister, online platforms themselves appear to recognize the importance of addressing safety concerns for younger users.
Miller also suggested that the United States shares similar concerns regarding children's online well-being, despite differences that may exist on other digital policy issues.
The debate over Bill C-34 comes at a time when Canada and the United States are dealing with several contentious digital and trade issues.
In recent months, Canada withdrew its proposed digital services tax and is also expected to reconsider certain regulations involving foreign streaming companies. Those measures had faced criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration, which argued they created barriers for American businesses.
When questioned about whether those decisions signaled a willingness to yield to U.S. pressure, Miller maintained that the circumstances surrounding online child protection are fundamentally different from disputes involving taxation and industry regulations.
Trade relations between Canada and the United States are also under increased attention as the review deadline for the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement approaches. President Trump recently indicated that he prefers a review of the agreement rather than an automatic renewal, creating uncertainty over future negotiations.
Against that backdrop, the Canadian government's commitment to the Safe Social Media Act highlights its intention to separate child protection measures from ongoing economic discussions with Washington.
As lawmakers prepare to revisit the legislation later this year, the debate over online safety, digital regulation, and international trade is likely to remain an important issue in both Canada and the United States. For now, Ottawa's message is clear: protecting children online remains a priority that the government says it is unwilling to negotiate away.
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