The Internet is a valuable resource that enriches the lives of many by connecting them to other parts of the world and providing access to countless sources of information.

However, when not regulated and monitored properly, the Internet can be a very dangerous place.

Child pornography constitutes a serious form of child sexual exploitation. Not only are individual children abused and exploited in the making and viewing of this type of material, but the supply of and continuing demand for child pornography exploits and endangers all children by portraying them as objects for sexual gratification.

In an attempt to protect children from online sexual exploitation, this government has introduced legislation that will require suppliers of Internet services to report online child pornography.

“A mandatory reporting regime across Canada will assist authorities in identifying offenders and rescuing children from sexual exploitation,” said the Hon. Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice. “Creating and distributing child pornography are unspeakable crimes and our government is committed to protecting children from Internet sexual predators.”

The legislation will help safeguard children by improving law enforcement’s ability to detect offences and reduce the availability of child pornography on the Internet.

It is important to achieve these objectives while minimizing the impact on the privacy of Canadians by not requiring suppliers of Internet services to send personal subscriber information.

This legislation also goes further than any current guidelines in protecting children by applying not only to Internet service providers who provide access to the Internet, but to all persons who provide an Internet service to the public, including those who provide electronic mail services, Internet content hosting services, and social networking sites.

The Criminal Code’s existing child pornography provisions prohibit all forms of making, distributing, making available, accessing and possessing child pornography, including through the Internet.

Adding stricter reporting requirements will send an additional message to those involved in the child pornography industry that this government is serious about cracking down on those who exploit our children.

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