Cyberbullying needs more attention, justice ministers say
The Canadian Press
Posted: Oct 31, 2012 7:22 PM PT
Last Updated: Oct 31, 2012 8:36 PM PT
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Ministers of justice and public safety met in Regina Wednesday. (CBC)Canada's justice and public safety ministers say they'll work together to see what more can be done to stop cyberbullying.
Shirley Bond, B.C.'s justice minister and attorney general, said the ministers discussed the issue extensively at a meeting in Regina Wednesday.
According to Bond, the ministers agreed to form a working group that will look at whether there are gaps in the Criminal Code.
She noted there are some consequences for cyberbullying now, but the ministers want to know if more could be done.
Federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said cyberbullying is a serious issue and one that has a lot of Canadians worried.
The issue garnered national attention recently after B.C. teen Amanda Todd took her own life earlier this month after a protracted period of online victimization.
Last Friday, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police urged Ottawa to enact controversial Internet surveillance legislation.
They argued investigations involving cyber and cellphone technology are being hampered by antiquated laws.
They say Bill C30, the Protecting Children from Internet Predators Act, would enable officers to follow the electronic footprints left in crimes by compelling telecommunications companies to quickly provide basic Internet subscriber information.
It would also help officers intervene in cyber bullying and make it a crime to use social media to injure, alarm and harass.
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