Two Microsoft-linked organizations were busy lobbying Ottawa at the start of Parliament’s fall sitting, during which MPs are expected to debate the Liberal safe social media bill.

The Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC), whose members include Nintendo, Ubisoft, Roblox and Microsoft, reported eight communications with policy makers in Ottawa between Sept. 18 and 23.

LinkedIn, which is owned by Microsoft, reported six communications with federal officials on Sept. 22 and 23, in the first few days of Parliament’s fall sitting.

Taken together, the two groups reported lobbying about online safety 10 times in one week, and eight times on a single day. The communications targeted officials working for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Canadian Heritage and the Prime Minister’s Office.

ESAC’s contacts with officials covered a range of topics including, but not limited to, “tariff-free digital trade,” “evidence-based frameworks to address harmful online behaviour,” “modern, interoperable privacy laws that protect users while enabling innovation,” and “clear, innovation-friendly rules for AI applications in video games.”

LinkedIn, meanwhile, focused on AI recruiting, digital trade, and “online harms, protection of minors and their data online and artificial intelligence.”

Those registrations come as Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, awaits debate in the House of Commons after Heritage Minister Marc Miller tabled the long-awaited social media bill in June.

C-34 proposes to restrict users younger than 16 from using certain, yet-to-be-determined social media platforms, establishes a duty for social media platforms and AI chat bots to act responsibly, and proposes the creation of a digital safety commission to oversee the implementation of the law.

Previous legislation aimed at preventing online harm to minors was tabled in 2024 under Justin Trudeau, but after the Department of Justice made amendments to the bill, it was subject to intense debate over freedom of expression and never passed.

Upon Parliament’s return to Ottawa this fall, Prime Minister Mark Carney said advancing Bill C-34 is a priority for his government.

If the Safe Social Media Act passes, Canada would follow the lead of an earlier law implemented in Australia and one passed in the United Kingdom.

But to which platforms the rules apply varies by jurisdiction.

Once implemented in 2027, the U.K.’s online safety law will apply to social media sites, including LinkedIn, as well as cloud storage and sharing sites, video-sharing platforms, online forums, dating services and online instant messaging services.

Australia was the first country to enact age restrictions for social media in December 2025. Its rules cover a range of social media sites, but don’t designate LinkedIn or video gaming platforms.

Neither Linkedin nor ESAC responded to the IJF's request for comment.

Canadian Heritage was unable to comment before deadline.

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