The government of British Columbia has unveiled new legislation that aims to hold companies accountable for “public health harms.”
The Public Health Accountability and Cost Recovery Act will provide the province with tools to go after companies that promote, market and distribute products that are harmful to adults and children.
The new laws will build on previous legislation that enabled litigation against tobacco and opioid manufacturers.
“Our government previously warned social media giants, tobacco, drug companies and other big faceless corporations that we would be taking action to hold them accountable for the harm they are causing to people, including kids,” B.C. Premier David Eby said.
“My message is simple: Here in B.C., we expect you to operate in a way that doesn’t hurt people, period.”
The new legislation will allow the government to claim public costs, such as hospital treatments and doctor appointments, as well as preventive and proactive measures for risks of disease, illness or injuries.
“Too many people in B.C. are living with negative health impacts from products they should be able to trust,” said Niki Sharma, B.C.’s attorney general.
“Once this new legislation passes, we will be able to sue more wrongdoers.”
The legislation has a focus on social media companies for the harm algorithms cause, especially to kids.
If passed, the legislation will also apply to companies producing products designed to create addiction, particularly in children and young adults.
It will pair with the announcement made in late January, where government officials said the province will be cracking down on cellphones and internet content at schools.
The premier said three actions are being taken by the government to “keep kids safe and healthy.”
The three “concrete” actions include:
- restricting the use of cell phones in schools
- launching services to remove images from the internet and pursue predators
- legislation to hold social media companies accountable for the harm they have caused
New school policies will be in place by the start of the next school year, where school districts will have the ability to restrict cellphone use while on their properties.
Students will also have access to more digital literacy training, which will teach them the knowledge and tools to stay safe from online predators.
BC United leader Kevin Falcon said “in principle” he supports the legislation.
“I called for this two years ago, and I feel quite strongly about this. There has to be much more accountability for large social media companies to deal with the harms that are often … especially the attacks on women in public life. I have always called for something to expose trolls and who they are, so they have a bright light of accountability on them,” he said.
“I am certainly supportive of the concept.
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