Canada: Age Verification of Adult Content Becomes Election Issue

Canada: Age Verification of Adult Content Becomes Election Issue

SYDNEY, Nova Scotia — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week criticized Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre for stating that if he is elected prime minister, his government will require age verification for adult content.

Poilievre’s comments regarding implementing an age verification system, which echo proposals by anti-porn religious conservatives in the U.S., have been widely reported by media outlets. On Wednesday, when asked whether a governing Conservative Party would require some form of age verification, Poilievre simply said “yes.”

The debate over age verification in Canada currently involves S-210, a bill introduced by Canada’s top anti-pornography activist, Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne, who was appointed to fill a vacancy in the Canadian Senate rather than elected to the post. The bill would require an unspecified age verification method for adult websites, and would hold sites criminally liable if they fail to verify a user’s age.

At an event in Cape Breton on Thursday, Trudeau criticized the opposition leader for “proposing that adults should have to give their ID and personal information to sketchy websites, or create a digital ID for adults to be able to browse the web where they want,” the CBC reported.

“That’s something we stand against,” Trudeau stated unequivocally.

To confuse matters, following Poilievre’s remarks, one of his spokespeople seemingly contradicted his statement, telling the CBC that the Conservative party “does not support requiring users to verify their age through a digital ID.”

The back-and-forth between the leaders of Canada’s two main parties comes in the wake of Trudeau announcing that the government’s forthcoming Online Harms Bill, meant to combat hate speech, terrorist content and some violent material on the internet, could come up for consideration as soon as next week.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

GirlsDoPorn Owner Michael Pratt Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking

Michael Pratt, former owner of the rogue website GirlsDoPorn, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on Thursday to sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking charges, according to a report by City News Service.

Master Nico Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Master Nico has relaunched his official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Federal Judge Grants Partial Halt of Florida AV Law

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee Division, has granted a preliminary injunction against HB 3, the state's age verification law, as a lawsuit filed by two online trade associations challenging the law makes its way through the courts.

Aylo Releases Statement on Suspending Access to Pornhub in France

Technology and media company Aylo, which operates adult sites including Pornhub, YouPorn, and Redtube, has released a public statement regarding its decision to block access to its sites in France.

Pineapple Support to Host Wellness Sessions at Bucharest Summit

Pineapple Support is hosting free group and one-on-one therapy sessions at Bucharest Summit, June 3-5.

Pornhub Blocks Access in France in Response to SREN Law

Pornhub parent company Aylo has opted to block access to its sites in France rather than comply with age verification requirements under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

ASACP Highlights Study on Parental Controls

The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) is highlighting the results of a study on the underutilization of parental controls.

Sydney Screams Launches New Site Through Grooby's Blue.xxx

Sydney Screams has launched her new membership site, SydneyScreams.xxx, through Grooby's website management company Blue.xxx.

Mistress Mystii Is LoyalFans' 'Featured Creator' for June

LoyalFans has named Mistress Mystii as its Featured Creator for June.

Canadian Senator Revives Push for National AV Law

Sen. Julie Miville-Dechêne, whose previous multiple attempts to legislate national age verification requirements all failed, has introduced a new bill that would impose fines of up to $500,000 on adult sites that do not implement age verification for Canadian viewers.

Show More