Bill C-16: Protecting Victims Act

This bill is almost entirely focused on criminal justice and corrections, so most businesses will not feel a direct operational impact. The most relevant business-facing changes are in the Firearms Act and the mandatory Internet reporting rules: firearms dealers, retailers, and ranges across Canada may see more licence revocations or eligibility challenges for customers with domestic violence or stalking histories, requiring staff to be aware of updated eligibility criteria. Internet service providers — including companies offering web hosting, email, or social media platforms to the Canadian public — face new or clarified mandatory reporting obligations for child sexual abuse material, including a requirement to preserve data for one year and to include transmission data in notifications when material is clearly CSAM; these obligations apply whether a company is a solo developer running a hosted service or a larger ISP. Employers in any sector where non-disclosure agreements might cover potential criminal conduct (e.g., workplace misconduct settlements) should be aware that the Act explicitly states no agreement can prevent disclosure of offence-related information to police. Correctional and justice-adjacent organizations (victim services, legal aid, treatment program providers) will encounter new procedural requirements around restorative justice, victim statements, and alternative measures.