“The OPP is very concerned about the devastating impact of cyberbullying and other online criminal activities. As an organization, the OPP already supports various school- and community-based crime prevention, education, and awareness programs across Ontario with a goal to reduce further crime and victimization. The programs our members actively provide include those dealing with social media and the ever-changing online environment.

We support any legislation that eliminates barriers to effective investigation and improves online safety for all Canadians. The OPP supports the position taken by the President of Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), Chief Constable Jim Chu, as we have publicly supported similar legislation when previously introduced. I urge all Ontario media to publish his article to ensure all citizens are better informed on this matter.

It is our collective belief that the Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act supports our calls for improved and updated legislative tools to help police get access to the information needed to investigate child sexual abuse via the internet, cyberbullying, and other criminal activities using the latest technologies and platforms while ensuring the privacy rights enjoyed by all Canadians are protected.”

_______from: Chief Constable Jim Chu, President
Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (below)_______

Chief Constable Jim Chu
President, Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police

Why We Need to Change the Law to Stop Cyberbullying

(Op-Ed – Jan 22, 2013)

The government’s new bill to fight cyberbullying and combat illicit sexting has the full support of Canada’s Police leaders and their organizations. We believe it is time for Canadians to join hands and draw a united line against those who terrorize and harass those who are vulnerable.

By making it illegal to distribute an intimate image of a person without their consent, Bill C-13 addresses necessary changes in the Criminal Code identified by a working group of Federal, Provincial and Territorial officials. That working group also recognized the importance of updating our current laws so that law enforcement can conduct a thorough lawful investigation of this new offence and other crimes committed through the use of the internet.

We have seen from recent tragic events that we must take this problem seriously. We must help the victims and work towards deterrence. The current reality is that many criminals use new technology platforms to harass and threaten others, commit frauds, scams and violent crimes with little fear of being caught.

We are not suggesting that Bill C-13 is the total solution to cyber-bullying. Education and awareness of community resources are also key. We need to promote the discussion of risks amongst families and our children.

Canadian police leaders also believe that while pursuing these criminals we must uphold the privacy rights of individuals. We concur with the outgoing federal Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart who recognized that “law enforcement authorities need up-to-date tools to fight online crime at a time of when technologies are changing rapidly” and that this must be done in a way that respects Canadians’ fundamental right to privacy.

As stated, Bill C-13 fills many of the evidentiary gaps that currently exist. For example, criminals now benefit from Internet Service Providers that inadvertently delete evidence through shorter retention periods. Under the new legislation, a police officer with required grounds can ask the internet company to preserve the evidence. Then if the police officer obtains a warrant from a judge, and only then, would the Internet service
provider be allowed to release the information.

Bill C-13 is a responsible public policy initiative to assist law enforcement in combating cyber-bullying, the distribution of non-consensual intimate images and the exploitation of digital technologies by those who commit crimes and who often do so today with impunity. We can’t stand by and watch!”