First Call correspondence with Canadian Senate on Bill C-291

On March 21, 2024, First Call wrote to Chair Senator Brent Cotter and members of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, urging them to pass Bill C-291. Passing this bill would amend the Criminal Code and other Acts to change their wording from the erroneous term ‘child pornography’ to the more accurate ‘child sexual abuse and exploitation material’.

Definitions matter. As noted by an Ontario Court of Justice,  ‘Child pornography’ is a misnomer. These depictions and recordings are child exploitation crimes in progress. There is nothing entertaining, benign or harmless about the memorialization of a child being victimized and exploited.’

Removing this inaccurate and revictimizing term from the Canadian Criminal Code is the least we can do to ensure that children are not further victimized and exploited.

The Committee has not yet scheduled a meeting to discuss this bill. Write to them at lcjc@sen.parl.gc.ca urging them to pass this bill as soon as possible to get the harmful term ‘child pornography’ out of Canada’s legislation.