Ontario is ready to force Internet service providers to expose child porn Web sites, even if it means changing laws that include those protecting privacy, attorney general Michael Bryant said October 13.
"We, in fact, have laws that were not originally drafted in a way that envisioned this new crime," Bryant told a news conference. "So we need to modernize our laws. ISPs are going to be working with law enforcement with new protocols which will permit them to share information with law enforcement.”
Bryant’s announcement came as he also joined Ontario Community Safety Minister Monte Kwinter in revealing a $5 million province-wide child porn fighting program, funding a mass coordinated child porn fighting effort between province and local police.
The news wasn’t greeted with absolute acclaim, however, with concerns raised in the Canadian media and among Canadian lawmakers about privacy rights and about turning ISPs into police agencies. “A prudent ISP,” said Canadian member of Parliament Peter Kormos, “would ask the police to get a search warrant.”
"Our goal is to create an Ontario that is a no-fly zone for Internet child pornography and Internet luring. It is an ambitious goal but today marks an important first step," Bryant told the news conference.
"Rather than having each municipal force develop different approaches to deal with child pornography and luring, we need a province-wide strategy," Kwinter said. "Quite simply, better co-ordination brings better results.”
For their part, police at the province and local levels say a crackdown has to include tougher sentencing. "I think the statement has to be made in this country that [if] pedophiles or other criminals in any way, shape or form intend to abuse our children... sanctions will be swift and severe," Toronto police Chief Julian Fantino told Canadian reporters.
Bryant agreed with Fantino. "We are going to get... the evidence before the courts that shows the damage and harm that is done to the community... not just for that particular victim, and in doing so we believe we will be able to get tougher sentences," he told the news conference.
