At the upcoming national convention of the Liberal Party next month in Montreal, members will discuss various policy resolutions, including age restrictions on social media and AI chatbots. The convention, scheduled for April 9 through 11, will feature debates on 24 different resolutions.
One resolution proposed by Quebec advocates for banning individuals under the age of 16 from accessing AI chatbots and other potentially harmful forms of AI interaction, citing concerns such as encouraging inappropriate conversations and recommending harmful behaviors. Another resolution suggests implementing a law similar to Australia’s, which sets a minimum age of 16 for creating social media accounts and holds platform companies responsible for preventing underage users from having accounts.
Prime Minister Mark Carney recently mentioned that the government is considering an “age of majority” for social media as part of new online harms legislation discussions. However, Carney emphasized the need for an open debate in Canada before following Australia’s lead, highlighting the evolving nature of such bans and the need for more information.
Other topics on the agenda include electoral system reform proposals, such as requiring candidates to secure at least 50% plus one vote to win and setting up a citizens’ assembly to design a proportional representation system for Canada. Additionally, a resolution from Liberals in British Columbia suggests invoking disallowance to veto the use of the notwithstanding clause by provinces in cases where Charter rights are bypassed before legal scrutiny.
The convention will also address issues like supporting Ukrainian citizens by eliminating visitor visa requirements for short-term stays, establishing a national rail strategy, and exploring high-speed rail projects. Various proposals cover a range of topics from healthcare to energy efficiency and taxes.
The Liberal Party’s previous convention was held in Ottawa in 2025, where members endorsed Carney to succeed Justin Trudeau as party leader and prime minister.