Justice Minister calls for quick action against cyberbullying

OTTAWA – Justice Minister Rob Nicholson will call for quick action Wednesday to tackle cyberbullying when he meets with his provincial counterparts.

His pledge follows an emotional meeting yesterday between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the father of Rehtaeh Parsons.

The 17-year-old Nova Scotia teen took her own life this month after an alleged rape and online harassment that included posting photos of the assault.

VIDEO: Rehtaeh Parsons’ family hopeful federal government will act

Glen Canning told Harper in a 45-minute meeting that harassed teens and their families are desperate for better tools to combat cyberbullying.

Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter, who also met with Harper, said he and the PM appear to agree that online harassment needs to be treated as a crime.

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Nicholson said federal-provincial talks started last October after the suicide of harassed Vancouver teen Amanda Todd to address cyberbullying.

He says he’ll recommend in today’s meeting that the legal changes be made as quickly as possible.