Canada has a strong history of respect for political rights and civil liberties, though in recent years citizens have been concerned about laws relating to the administration of elections, government transparency, the treatment of inmates in prisons, and restrictions on public-sector employees wearing religious symbols. While members of minority groups, including Black and Indigenous Canadians, still face discrimination and economic, social, and political challenges, the federal government has acknowledged these problems and made some moves to address them.

• In February, the government introduced Bill C-63, the Online Harms Act, in Parliament. The draft legislation would define what qualifies as “harmful online content” and set up a new regulatory body to impose penalties on internet users and social media platforms for violations. The types of content that would be designated as harmful included sexual victimization of children, content used to bully a child, intimate content shared without permission, and content that promotes hatred, terrorism, violence, or extremism. Critics of the bill warned of a chill on free speech and rejected the prescribed penalties as excessive. The measure had yet to pass at the end of the year.
• In March, the government introduced another measure, Bill C-65, that would make a number of changes to Canada’s electoral framework. For example, it would increase the days, means, and locations for voting; impose new rules designed to prevent foreign entities from supporting Canadian political parties and candidates; and prohibit the impersonation of candidates using artificial intelligence tools. Bill C-65 was still under consideration as of December.
• A law adopted in April called for the creation of a permanent National Council for Reconciliation to monitor progress on the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which had concluded its examination of historical abuses against Indigenous people in 2015.
• In September, the left-wing New Democratic Party pulled out of a 2022 agreement with the ruling center-left Liberal Party that had allowed the Liberals to govern despite their lack of a majority in Parliament. As a result, the government was expected to call elections in early 2025.

This report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2025 due to ongoing budget constraints. Freedom in the World is entirely funded by nongovernmental sources such as private foundations, corporations, and individuals like you. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.

For additional background information, see last year’s full report.