Bill to restrict internet wrong approach: experts

A federal private member's bill that would grant the government new powers while imposing restrictions and penalties on internet users and operators is off base, internet experts say.

Joy Smith, a Conservative MP representing Kildonan-St. Paul, on Thursday introduced her proposed clean internet act, or Bill C-427, for first reading in Parliament.

The bill's full name is: "An act to prevent the use of the internet to distribute child pornography, material that advocates, promotes or incites racial hatred, and material that portrays or promotes violence against women."

The bill's provisions would grant the industry minister special powers to search data as well as the ability to order an internet service provider to block access to content deemed inappropriate.