NDP, Conservatives still mulling stance on online harms bill, social media age cap

New Democratic Party Leader Avi Lewis speaks during a news conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Monday, June 8, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA — The Conservatives and the NDP aren’t venturing an opinion yet on the online harms bill introduced by the federal Liberal government Wednesday.

The bill includes a high-profile plan to force social media companies to ban kids under 16 from their platforms.

A spokesperson for the Conservatives says the party will carefully examine whether the bill adequately protects children while safeguarding privacy.

A statement from NDP Leader Avi Lewis says his party is looking at whether the bill effectively addresses the root causes of online harms like misinformation and sexual exploitation.

The statement says the party also will be watching to see how the social media ban for kids is implemented and warns against “yet another massive data grab for Big Tech.”

Bill C-34 also would create a new digital regulator and regulate the companies behind AI chatbots by imposing on them a duty to act responsibly.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2026.

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press