Anti-Cybercrime Bill - The "Black Pearl Bill".

Introducing the "Black Pearl Bill", this Bill aims to modernize Canada's legal framework by explicitly defining and interconnecting cybercrime, cyber-privateering, and cyber-terrorism, with a specific emphasis on cryptocurrency-related financial crimes.

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Current Legal Landscape vs Cybercrime

Canada's Criminal Code addresses unauthorized computer use under Section 342.1, which criminalizes actions such as fraudulently obtaining computer services, intercepting computer functions, and using computer systems with intent to commit offenses.

Justice Laws Website: Criminal Code

Additionally, the Canadian Government attempted to Protect Canadians with the Online Crime Act (S.C. 2014, c. 31) introduced measures against cyberbullying and unauthorized distribution of intimate images, enhancing the legal tools to combat online criminal activities.

Justice Laws Website: Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act

However, the reality of Cybercrime is much deeper and requires a complete overhaul of the Criminal Code as we are now fully into the Digital Age. With everything being online, you would hope that the Police would have a vast network of tools, informants, training and laws to back them up.

Sadly, this is not the case!

Don't take our word for it - Look at the statistics below!

In Canada, the CAFC "Canadian Anti-Fraud Center" reported the following:

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) reported the following statistics for 2023:?

• Number of reports: 63,789
• Number of victims: 42,226
• Total losses: $577 million
• Top types of fraud: Identity fraud, service fraud, and phishing
• Top frauds with the highest financial impact: Investment scams, spear phishing, and romance scams
• Recovery scams: More than doubled to over $1.6 million in losses
• Crypto investment fraud: Estimated to be more than 50% of the $309 million in reported investment fraud loss

The CAFC is a central repository for data, intelligence, and resource material related to fraud. It's jointly managed by the: RCMP, Competition Bureau, and Ontario Provincial Police.?

The CAFC estimates that only 5-10% of victims report instances of fraud.?

These statistics are UNACCEPTABLE

What should we do? Support Change - The Black Pearl Bill

Why did we call it the Black Pearl Bill?

The "Black Pearl," famously known as a swift and powerful pirate ship, symbolizes the blurred lines between legality and lawlessness during the age of maritime privateering. A privateer, historically defined as a privately-owned ship or its crew authorized by a government to attack and capture enemy vessels during wartime, operated in a gray area where profit and patriotism intersected. Similarly, in today’s digital age, privateering has evolved into cyber-privateering, where individuals or groups, often state-sanctioned, exploit computer networks for strategic or financial gain. Unlike terrorism, which is driven by ideological motives to incite fear and disrupt societies, privateering—both maritime and cyber—has a profit-driven or state-aligned focus, making it a tool of economic warfare rather than ideological extremism. The evolution from wooden ships to digital networks reflects the enduring challenge of distinguishing legitimate authority from rogue exploitation in both physical and virtual realms.

Proposed Enhancements with the "Black Pearl Bill"

1. Defining Cyber-Privateering: Introduce legal definitions and penalties for individuals or entities engaging in cyber-privateering—state-sanctioned cyber activities targeting foreign entities or civilians for financial or strategic gain.
2. Addressing Cyber-Terrorism: Expand existing anti-terrorism laws to explicitly include cyber-terrorism, defining it as: the use of cyber means to intimidate or coerce a government or civilian population to further political or ideological objectives.
3. Integrating Cryptocurrency Regulations: Amend the Criminal Code to include offenses related to the misuse of cryptocurrencies in cybercrime, cyber-privateering, and cyber-terrorism, ensuring that financial crimes involving digital assets are prosecutable.
4. Establishing Interconnected Offenses: Create provisions that recognize the interconnected nature of these cyber offenses, allowing for cumulative charges and enhanced penalties when individuals or groups engage in multiple forms of cyber misconduct.

Rationale for the Bill

The increasing sophistication of cyber threats necessitates a comprehensive legal approach. By clearly defining and linking these offenses, the "Black Pearl Bill" seeks to:

• Enhance Legal Clarity: Provide clear definitions to aid law enforcement and judicial bodies in identifying and prosecuting cyber offenses.
• Strengthen Deterrence: Implement stringent penalties to deter individuals and groups from engaging in cyber-privateering and cyber-terrorism.
• Address Emerging Threats: Acknowledge and mitigate the role of cryptocurrencies in facilitating anonymous financial transactions linked to cybercrime.
• Promote International Cooperation: Align Canada's legal framework with international standards, facilitating cross-border collaboration in combating cyber threats.

Conclusion

The "Black Pearl Bill" represents a proactive step towards fortifying Canada's cybersecurity defenses by updating and expanding legal definitions and penalties related to cybercrime, cyber-privateering, and cyber-terrorism, with a keen focus on the financial mechanisms that enable these activities.

Canada's Cybercrime Enforcement Challenges Highlighted

• Reuters

Canada does not have the tools to fight cyber crime, says watchdog

For more detailed information on lobbying regulations and practices in Canada, you can refer to the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada's Frequently Asked Questions.

SPECIAL NOTE -

We wanted to express our sincere thanks to those working with the Alberta Catalyzer?Program through Edmonton Unlimited. Without their continued support we would never have gotten this far. We can't say enough good things about those amazing people. Special thanks to : Nate Glubish?/ Lan Tan?/ Matt?/?Colin?. You have truly made the world a better place each day!.

• Alberta Catalyzer
• Innovation From Here For The World – Edmonton Unlimited

Your Contribution Makes a Difference

Every donation, large or small, directly impacts our ability to provide essential services and advocate for meaningful change. With your support, we can:

• Expand outreach programs to vulnerable communities.
• Fund educational campaigns about online exploitation.
• Support legislative efforts like the Online Harms Act.
• Provide specialized counseling services for victims.
• Support initiatives to combat cryptocurrency misuse in exploitation networks.

How You Can Help:

1. Donate Today:?Every contribution helps us get closer to building a fully intigrated Cybercrime Victim Service.
2. Raise Awareness:?Share our message with your network.
3. Advocate for Change:?Support stronger policies to hold platforms and criminals accountable.

Together, We Can Create Safer Digital Spaces?By standing with Cybercrime Victim Services, you are not only helping victims—you are actively working to prevent future exploitation. Every voice, every dollar, and every action counts.

To donate or learn more about our mission, visit our website or contact us directly.

Together, we can protect our children, support survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable.

SIGN OUR PETITION:

DONATIONS ARE NEEDED TO CONTINUE: