National Action Plan on Open Government Commitment

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C02.1.08 - Democracy and Civic Space

Commitment:
Democracy and Civic Space
Milestone:
Take action to address the rising spread of disinformation in Canada and its consequences on the health of our democracy
Indicator:
C02.1.08 - Countries, private sector, and civil society organizations sign on to the Guiding Principles and commit to advance voluntary actions
Lead Organization:
Canadian Heritage
Deadline:
By March 2023
Summit for Democracy:
No

Updates

2023-12
Status:
Complete
Evidence of progress:

The online environment evolved significantly since DOCO’s inception. At this point in time, seeking support for the Guiding Principles on Diversity of Content Online, as noted in the TB-approved outcomes and indicators, is no longer relevant.

Canada has also taken significant strides in addressing some of these risks and challenges that are highlighted in the Guiding Principles on Diversity of Content Online through legislation such as Bill C-11 (the Online Streaming Act), Bill C-18 (the Online News Act), Bill C-27 (the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act) and the proposed Online Harms Act (Bill C-63). These regulatory approaches bring real change and outcomes that will positively impact Canadians in their experience online.

Finally, current resource constraints have resulted in PCH’s internal international policy capacity being dedicated to supporting international engagement vis-à-vis digital platforms governance in the context of the Government and PCH’s various legislative priorities. There is little to no capacity left over to attract 150 stakeholders to support the Guiding Principle on Diversity of Content Online as noted in the TB-approved outcomes and indicators. The level of sustained, external engagement necessary to achieve that outcome is not possible at this time, and the foreseeable future, given the other pressing legislative and regulatory efforts taking place within PCH.

2023-09
Status:
Limited progress
Evidence:

Work is underway internally to identify the most effective next steps in supporting diversity of online content.

2023-03
Status:
Substantial progress
Evidence of progress:

  • Finalizing an engagement strategy to gain support for the Guiding Principles on Diversity of Content Online.

  • Completed research and analysis of options for an International Framework for the Guiding Principles on Diversity of Online Content.

  • Initiated the development of a new web portal where stakeholders can indicate their support for the Guiding Principles.

Evidence:
  • Materials are still being drafted and not yet available publicly.
Challenges:

NIL

2022-12
Status:
Limited progress
Evidence of progress:
  • Started the development of an engagement strategy to acquire supporters of the Guiding Principles on diversity of content online.
Evidence:
  • Materials are still being finalized and not yet available publicly
Challenges:

NIL

2022-09
Status:
Substantial progress
Evidence of progress:
  • Canada and Mexico co-led an international pre-MONDIACULT 2022 forum on the Guiding Principles on Diversity of Content Online mark their one-year anniversary and to discuss voluntary actions stakeholders are taking to address them.
Evidence:
  • Mondiacult report is drafted, not yet published online
Challenges:

NIL

2022-06
Status:
Substantial progress
Evidence of progress:

  • Finalizing an engagement strategy to gain support for the Guiding Principles on Diversity of Content Online.

  • Completed research and analysis of options for an International Framework for the Guiding Principles on Diversity of Online Content.

  • Initiated the development of a new web portal where stakeholders can indicate their support for the Guiding Principles.

Evidence:
  • Materials are still being drafted and not yet available publicly
Challenges:

NIL