MPs moving to restrict gambling ads in Canada amid mounting harms - CBC

CanadaCanadian teens and parents — the two groups directly impacted by the Safe Social Media Act (Bill C-34) introduced Wednesday by the federal government — share their thoughts on social media and the proposed legislation, which would ban accounts for users under 16. Parents welcome setting safety guidelines, while students mixed on social media pros and consJessica Wong · CBC News · Posted: Jun 13, 2026 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: June 13Listen to this articleEstimated 6 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results. Canadian parents and teens will be directly impacted by the Safe Social Media Act. High schoolers and parents share their thoughts on social media and the new legislation, which would ban accounts for users under 16. (Isidore Champagne/CBC)Canadian high schoolers have mixed feelings about the Safe Social Media Act (Bill C-34), introduced Wednesday by the federal government.

The federal government is moving to restrict young Canadians' access to social media unless those companies can show they've made their platforms safe. Culture Minister Marc Miller introduced his long-awaited online harms bill in the House of Commons on Wednesday, which also puts in some controls around artificial intelligence chatbots. "We're failing our children. Enough is enough," Miller said. "We need basic protection in place so every child in this country can be safe on platforms they use every day. "Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, would force social media services — defined as traditional social media platforms, live-streaming services and adult content services focused on user-shared content — to restrict accounts for children under 16 years old.

On May 6, 2026, the Canadian federal government introduced Bill C-31, Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 2, (Bill C-31), which proposes significant amendments to the Canada Labour Code (Code) that would substantially restrict the use of non-compete clauses in federally regulated workplaces. If passed, the proposed amendments would prohibit the use of non-compete covenants in employment agreements, representing a material shift in the treatment of post-employment restrictive covenants at the federal level and aligning the Code more closely with Ontario’s existing legislative framework. A Comprehensive Prohibition on Non-Compete ClausesBill C-31 would introduce a broad prohibition against non-compete clauses and certain other employment related restrictions. In particular, the proposed amendments would prohibit a federally regulated employer from:Entering into an agreement that includes a non-compete clause with an employee or trade unionImposing such a clause on an employee, including by requiring or inducing the employee to agree to itThe prohibition is deliberately expansive and captures both direct and indirect efforts to restrict employee mobility post-employment.

This story is part of a CBC News series examining the public health impacts of online gambling. For T. S., a 22-year-old Ontario man recovering from a gambling problem, widespread advertising for online casinos and betting during sports broadcasts is "frustrating. ""Imagine you're an alcoholic and there was a beer ad during every show you watched," he told CBC News. His gambling started three years ago as a fun Friday night activity with friends, but escalated. One night last year he found himself locked inside a bathroom, losing it all — having bet away $14,000. T. S., who CBC has agreed not to name, says he quickly sought treatment and hasn't gambled since. But during his spree, all those ads fuelled him to gamble more. "It certainly … would trigger me to go back and place another bet. "Politicians in Ottawa are moving to curb the widespread advertising currently seen across sports broadcasts, social media and online video games. WATCH | Sports gambling ads are everywhere. There's a push to change that:Sports gambling ads are everywhere. There’s a push to change that7 hours ago|Duration 2:29Federal MPs are moving forward with a bill to restrict sports betting ads in Canada.