Hackers release corporate data stolen from London Drugs
Retailer London Drugs says cybercriminals who stole files from its corporate head office last month have released some of the data after it refused to pay a ransom.
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
The Leger online survey found 57 per cent of respondents who said free speech in Canada is under threat.
Of those, 34 per cent said it was "somewhat" threatened, while 23 per cent said they consider the threat a serious one.
Some 36 per cent said their free-speech rights were in no danger, while seven per cent said they didn't know or did not answer.
Three out of four respondents — 76 per cent — said they currently feel comfortable expressing their views, but only 71 per cent when it comes to more controversial subjects such as abortion, gun control and immigration.
Leger surveyed 1,610 Canadians from April 26 to April 28. Online surveys cannot be assigned a margin of error because they do not randomly sample the population.
The feelings of respondents about the issue of free speech divided neatly along familiar political fault lines.
Among those who said they plan to vote Conservative in the next federal election, 76 per cent said they fear free speech is in peril in Canada.
Among would-be Liberal voters, 61 per cent said they do not feel free speech is threatened, while New Democrat supporters were almost evenly divided.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre often accuses Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of censoring opinions he dislikes, an argument he has used to denounce the government's proposed Online Harms Act.
The legislation would make social media companies more accountable in protecting users — especially those under 18 — from harmful online behaviour, including terrorist content and that which can be used to bully a child.
Justice Minister Arif Virani insists the bill strikes the right balance between better protecting Canadians and upholding the Charter right to freedom of expression.
The legislation has also come under heavy scrutiny for proposing stiffer penalties for hate speech offences, including reintroducing a section of the Canadian Human Rights Act that would allow people to file complaints against those who post online hate speech.
While civil liberties advocates say they feel that provision could chill speech, justice officials have said it would only apply to the most extreme examples.
The poll results suggest Canadians are split on the question of whether free speech should be limited.
Some 44 per cent of respondents said their values align most closely with imposing limits that would block hate speech and "preaching a form of intolerance."
Another 45 per cent, meanwhile, said they were closer to the view that free speech should never be limited to allow "all opinions to be debated publicly."
Another 11 per cent said they did not know or declined to answer.
Among Conservative supporters, 60 per cent said they were most in favour of having no limits on free speech, compared with 64 per cent of Liberal voters and 66 per cent of NDP supporters who said they feel the opposite.
When asked about a recent increase in hateful sentiment, 29 per cent of respondents blamed a lack of respect between people, while 20 per cent said social media was to blame.
Another 13 per cent of respondents cited a "degradation of the moral fibre" of Canada.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 3, 2024.
Retailer London Drugs says cybercriminals who stole files from its corporate head office last month have released some of the data after it refused to pay a ransom.
A Toronto man who won $70 million in a recent Lotto Max draw literally fell off his chair when he saw the funds in his bank account.
Approximately 50 Montreal-area students — the vast majority of them female — were suspended Wednesday after their school deemed the shorts they were wearing were too short. On Thursday, several students staged a walk-out to protest what they believe is a "sexist" dress code that unfairly targets girls.
Connor McDavid tipped Evan Bouchard's shot from the boards past Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger 32 seconds into the second overtime to give the Edmonton Oilers a 3-2 win in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final..
Something shifted in the pretty little village of Lumby, B.C., after Tatjana Stefanski vanished. It used to be the sort of place where parents let their kids roam free or play in the local creek, but everything has changed.
Despite its rough name, experts say most cases of 'slapped cheek disease' are mild and not a cause for concern.
American Airlines has distanced itself from a court filing in which the carrier said a nine-year-old girl should have noticed there was a camera taped to the seat of an airplane lavatory.
Canadian soldiers and government officials arrived in northeastern France this week for a historic mission: returning an unknown Newfoundland soldier back home.
The Calgary Philharmonic has confirmed its taking action after controversial online comments made by two members of the orchestra.
The proprietors of Regina's sole discount theatre are aware they're carrying on a significant legacy.
When Jujhar Mann said he wanted to be a pastry chef on a grade school career project, he didn't imagine that pursuing his dream would land him on a popular Netflix baking competition.
A city known for its history, ties to outer space and southern barbecue, is also home to a Winnipeg chef dishing out dozens of perogies.
A Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
Public libraries in Atlantic Canada are now lending a broader range of items.
Flashes of purple darting across the sky mixed with the serenading sound of songs will be noticed more with spring in full force in Manitoba.
Catching 'em all with impressive speed, a 7-year-old boy from Windsor, Ont. who only started his competitive Pokémon journey seven months ago has already levelled up to compete at a world championship level.
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
2b Theatre recently moved into the old Video Difference building, seeking to transform it into an artistic hub, meeting space, and temporary housing unit for visiting performers in Halifax.