OPP Commissioner Supports Bill C-13

Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act

ORILLIA, ON, Jan. 27, 2014 /CNW/ - Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Commissioner Chris Lewis today released the following statement in support of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) position on the Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act (Bill C-13) presently before the Parliament of Canada:

"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."

Link to Chief Constable Jim Chu's Op-Ed Submission re: Bill C-13

SOURCE: Ontario Provincial Police

Contact:  Sgt. Kristine Rae
 A/Media Relations Coordinator

Phone:         [phone]