441-02263 (Justice)

We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:

Whereas:

• There are no laws that require makers, distributers or advertisers of commercial pornographic material to ascertain and document the consent and age of those depicted in the material;

• Recommendation #2 from the 2021 Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Report on MindGeek states: "That the Government of Canada mandate that contenthosting platforms operating in Canada require affirmation from all persons depicted in pornographic content, before it can be uploaded, that they are 18 years old or older and that they consent to its distribution";

• Bill C-270, The Stopping Internet Exploitation Act adds two offences to the Criminal Code: to create pornographic material for a commercial purpose without verifying the age and consent of the individuals shown, and to distribute pornographic material without verifying the age and consent of those depicted and also removing material if in writing, consent has been withdrawn; and

• Organizations including Defend Dignity, the National Council of Women of Canada, London Abused Women's Shelter, Montreal Council of Women, Parents Aware and the National Centre on Child Exploitation have all expressed support for Bill C-270.

Therefore, we, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to swiftly adopt Bill C-270, The Stopping Internet Exploitation Act.