In the live-streamed video, Chris threatens to fight riders on an HSR bus after hurling transphobic insults at them.
The Hamilton man who livestreamed himself unleashing a transphobic tirade and assaulting someone on a city bus in 2022 is a prime example of why Canada needs stronger legislation against cyberbullying and online hate, according to an expert and 2SLGBTQ+ advocates.Chris Pretula was sentenced to 225 days or roughly seven-and-a-half months in jail after livestreaming a transphobic assault on a city bus in 2022.
During the unprovoked incident, Pretula made multiple transphobic comments including calling the rider a "goofball, weird, transformer-looking fool" and said, "what is your pronoun, dipsh-t?" Chris Pretula pleaded guilty to assault and breaching release conditions. He previously said he'll continue to livestream when he's released from jail.
But MacKay and 2SLGBTQ+ advocates say if the government's proposed Online Harms Act becomes law, it will be a step toward combating hate — because under the act, Pretula could've faced a third charge for carrying out crime motivated by hate. "The bill includes overbroad violations of expressive freedom, privacy, protest rights, and liberty. These must be rectified before the bill is passed into law," Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, the association's executive director said in a February press release.Justice Minister Arif Virani clarified what the definition of hate will look like if the act becomes law and emphasized it won't undermine people's free speech.
Johnstone said the act shouldn't be politicized and social media platforms need to act in good faith, especially amid rising hate.
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