New child porn law proposed in Manitoba

Manitoba's provincial NDP government has announced a bill that would require anyone who detects child pornography to report it to the authorities -- or face jail time.

The proposed legislation will amend an existing law requiring people to report any suspected cases of child abuse.

"Consistent with the laws of reporting child abuse, it's important that we engage and enlist all Manitobans in reporting child pornography," said Gord Mackintosh, head of the province's family services ministry.

The law will also apply to computer technicians and Internet service providers.

Tips are to be directed through the cybertip.ca website, which acts as a national service for receiving reports about online child abuse.

Those found guilty of not reporting child pornography could face up to two years in jail or a $50,000 fine. But Mackintosh admitted that such a law will be difficult to enforce.
 
"The key issue here, of course, is not about prosecutions, it's about prevention, sending a strong message," he said.
 
Critics say the bill may be little more than a political maneuver.