Michael Geist
@mgeist.bsky.social
Law Professor, Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law, University of Ottawa
www.michaelgeist.ca
Law Bytes Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5iDUCcDrkzGai0OdTgoucv
http://mgeist.substack.com
www.michaelgeist.ca
Law Bytes Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5iDUCcDrkzGai0OdTgoucv
http://mgeist.substack.com
“In Canada, the anti-Zionist movement is not constrained to downtown marches or college encampments. It targets Jews where we live, where we worship and where we send our kids.”
www.newsweek.com/next-massacr...
www.newsweek.com/next-massacr...
The next massacre of Jews is likely to occur in Canada | Opinion
In Canada, unchecked anti-Zionist rhetoric and weak enforcement have fueled a surge in antisemitic violence and fear.
www.newsweek.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:41 PM
“In Canada, the anti-Zionist movement is not constrained to downtown marches or college encampments. It targets Jews where we live, where we worship and where we send our kids.”
www.newsweek.com/next-massacr...
www.newsweek.com/next-massacr...
Global antisemitism is so bad that this @marshalederman.bsky.social piece chronicling recent events does not even mention the Bondi Chanukah massacre aftermath including the stonewalling of a royal commission nor an egregious antisemitic media report in Spain.
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: The antisemitism you might have missed over the holidays
These international acts don’t just add to feelings of insecurity for Jewish people – they should be disconcerting for us all
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Global antisemitism is so bad that this @marshalederman.bsky.social piece chronicling recent events does not even mention the Bondi Chanukah massacre aftermath including the stonewalling of a royal commission nor an egregious antisemitic media report in Spain.
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
"In other words, it’s a mess. Even before Mr. Greer put the legislation on the table, the world was unfolding almost exactly the way the Online Streaming Act’s critics had predicted it would since it was first introduced as Bill C-10 in late 2020."
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: Canada should be prepared to give up the Online Streaming Act in U.S. trade talks
If Ottawa hopes to stand firm on certain trade issues, it should ditch a law that has been an implementation mess, even if it will be costly
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:56 PM
"In other words, it’s a mess. Even before Mr. Greer put the legislation on the table, the world was unfolding almost exactly the way the Online Streaming Act’s critics had predicted it would since it was first introduced as Bill C-10 in late 2020."
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
“What began as chants has crossed into intimidation. What is excused as advocacy now routinely crosses into harassment, disruption and outright antisemitism, playing out openly from places like the Eaton Centre to university campuses across the country."
nationalpost.com/opinion/cana...
nationalpost.com/opinion/cana...
Harley Finkelstein: Canadian Jews are being targeted simply because they are Jewish
Celebrations of Jewish life that have nothing to do with Israel are being disrupted as the nation stands idly by
nationalpost.com
December 31, 2025 at 2:10 PM
“What began as chants has crossed into intimidation. What is excused as advocacy now routinely crosses into harassment, disruption and outright antisemitism, playing out openly from places like the Eaton Centre to university campuses across the country."
nationalpost.com/opinion/cana...
nationalpost.com/opinion/cana...
My look back at 2025 concludes with a review of my most popular Substacks of the year. Lawful access, privacy and digital policy were the most popular issues joined by Quebec’s Internet streaming legislation and multiple posts on the digital services tax.
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/the-...
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/the-...
The Year in Review: Top Ten Michael Geist Substacks - Michael Geist
My look back at 2025 concludes with a review of my most popular Substacks of the year. Much like my top ten blog posts, lawful access, privacy and digital policy were the most popular issues, though S...
www.michaelgeist.ca
December 30, 2025 at 2:19 PM
My look back at 2025 concludes with a review of my most popular Substacks of the year. Lawful access, privacy and digital policy were the most popular issues joined by Quebec’s Internet streaming legislation and multiple posts on the digital services tax.
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/the-...
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/the-...
With my @lawbytespod podcast on a holiday break, this post looks back at the ten most popular episodes of the year. Topping the charts this year was a discussion with Sukesh Kamra on law firm adoption of artificial intelligence and innovative technologies.
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/the-...
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/the-...
The Year in Review: Top Ten Law Bytes Podcast Episodes - Michael Geist
The final Law Bytes podcast of 2025 released last week took a look back at the year in digital policy. With the podcast on a holiday break, this post looks back at the ten most popular episodes of the...
www.michaelgeist.ca
December 29, 2025 at 2:35 PM
With my @lawbytespod podcast on a holiday break, this post looks back at the ten most popular episodes of the year. Topping the charts this year was a discussion with Sukesh Kamra on law firm adoption of artificial intelligence and innovative technologies.
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/the-...
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/the-...
“the biggest or the most painful thing for Jewish students is the double standard.” How do students cope? “They’re avoiding campus, taking courses online, they’re hiding their Jewish identity. Their behaviour is changing as a function of the hostility”
nationalpost.com/news/canada/...
nationalpost.com/news/canada/...
'Hiding their Jewish identity': Professor warns antisemitism is making campuses intolerable for Jews
Ideology has seized our universities, Cary Kogan says: “We can't have this kind of identity-based hate movement being taught in classrooms."
nationalpost.com
December 27, 2025 at 4:34 PM
“the biggest or the most painful thing for Jewish students is the double standard.” How do students cope? “They’re avoiding campus, taking courses online, they’re hiding their Jewish identity. Their behaviour is changing as a function of the hostility”
nationalpost.com/news/canada/...
nationalpost.com/news/canada/...
CRTC's Cancon decision challenged in federal court - CMPA takes issue with justification on copyright ownership changes. Bill C-11 was always destined for years of litigation.
cartt.ca/cmpa-says-cr...
cartt.ca/cmpa-says-cr...
December 23, 2025 at 2:21 PM
CRTC's Cancon decision challenged in federal court - CMPA takes issue with justification on copyright ownership changes. Bill C-11 was always destined for years of litigation.
cartt.ca/cmpa-says-cr...
cartt.ca/cmpa-says-cr...
The Year in Review: Top Ten Posts on my blog. Two issues dominated: lawful access and antisemitism. While most of the top ten involves those two issues, the top post of the year featured an analysis of the government’s failed approach to the DST.
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/the-...
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/the-...
The Year in Review: Top Ten Posts - Michael Geist
This week’s Law Bytes podcast featured a look at the year in review in digital law and policy. Before wrapping up for the year, the next three posts over the holidays will highlight my most popular po...
www.michaelgeist.ca
December 23, 2025 at 2:13 PM
The Year in Review: Top Ten Posts on my blog. Two issues dominated: lawful access and antisemitism. While most of the top ten involves those two issues, the top post of the year featured an analysis of the government’s failed approach to the DST.
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/the-...
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/the-...
Canadian digital law and policy in 2025 included a DST reversal, return of lawful access, and the end of online harms, privacy and AI regulation bills. The final @lawbytes.bsky.social podcast of 2025 looks back at the most significant developments this past year.
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/the-...
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/the-...
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 254: Looking Back at the Year in Canadian Digital Law and Policy - Michael Geist
Canadian digital law and policy in 2025 was marked by the unpredictable with changes in leadership in Canada and the U.S. driving a shift in policy approach. Over the past year, that included a revers...
www.michaelgeist.ca
December 22, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Canadian digital law and policy in 2025 included a DST reversal, return of lawful access, and the end of online harms, privacy and AI regulation bills. The final @lawbytes.bsky.social podcast of 2025 looks back at the most significant developments this past year.
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/the-...
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/the-...
A Canadian law professor talks about how the mass shooting in Australia at a Hanukkah gathering has raised fear among Jewish communities in Canada
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
© CBC/Radio-Canada 2025. All rights reserved.
www.cbc.ca
December 18, 2025 at 9:50 PM
A Canadian law professor talks about how the mass shooting in Australia at a Hanukkah gathering has raised fear among Jewish communities in Canada
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
There may be good competition law reasons to block the Netflix-Warner Bros merger, but saving a Canadian streaming service whose primary value proposition comes from exclusively licensing U.S. content isn’t one of them.
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
Opinion: A Netflix deal for Warner means curtains for Crave unless Canadian regulators step in
Acquiring HBO assets would hollow out the offerings on Canadian streamer
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:53 PM
There may be good competition law reasons to block the Netflix-Warner Bros merger, but saving a Canadian streaming service whose primary value proposition comes from exclusively licensing U.S. content isn’t one of them.
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
The US targeting Online Streaming Act in trade talks is no surprise given hundreds of millions in payments in a system that discriminates against foreign providers. CUSMA allows the US to levy equivalent tariffs targeting whatever Canadian sector they want.
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/us-pol...
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/us-pol...
U.S. targeting dairy, Online Streaming Act in USMCA negotiations, top Trump trade official says
Remarks from U.S. Trade Representative suggest White House will press ahead with talks, not walk away from continental pact
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:39 PM
The US targeting Online Streaming Act in trade talks is no surprise given hundreds of millions in payments in a system that discriminates against foreign providers. CUSMA allows the US to levy equivalent tariffs targeting whatever Canadian sector they want.
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/us-pol...
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/us-pol...
I wrote about intimidation marches in Jewish neighbourhoods last month, but today’s editorial gets impact right:
“an act of aggression and intimidation, an echo of the Ku Klux Klan marching through a Black neighbourhood”
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
“an act of aggression and intimidation, an echo of the Ku Klux Klan marching through a Black neighbourhood”
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: Freedom of expression must not become a right to harass or intimidate
Protests in predominantly Jewish residential areas are a reminder that we need bylaws to address intimidation, while still protecting speech
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:50 PM
I wrote about intimidation marches in Jewish neighbourhoods last month, but today’s editorial gets impact right:
“an act of aggression and intimidation, an echo of the Ku Klux Klan marching through a Black neighbourhood”
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
“an act of aggression and intimidation, an echo of the Ku Klux Klan marching through a Black neighbourhood”
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
As Pablo Rodriguez resigns as Liberal leader in Quebec on the same week as concerns regarding antisemitism mount, I am reminded of how he misled a Commons committee on what he knew regarding Heritage funding for an antisemite.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Quebec Liberal leader to resign after weeks of turmoil: sources | CBC News
Quebec Liberal Party Leader Pablo Rodriguez will resign from his post during a meeting with his caucus this afternoon, according to Radio-Canada sources.
www.cbc.ca
December 17, 2025 at 4:35 PM
As Pablo Rodriguez resigns as Liberal leader in Quebec on the same week as concerns regarding antisemitism mount, I am reminded of how he misled a Commons committee on what he knew regarding Heritage funding for an antisemite.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
If you can’t call out antisemitism, you can’t deal with it. But too often leaders avoid references to antisemitism or rely on an “all hate matters” message. Given insidious efforts to deny its existence or question motivations behind it, we must call it out.
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/conf...
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/conf...
Confronting Antisemitism in Canada: If Leaders Won’t Call It Out Without Qualifiers, They Can’t Address It - Michael Geist
The devastating consequences of the rise of antisemitism is in the spotlight this week in the wake of the horrific Chanukah Massacre in Australia over the weekend. In addition to my post on the issue,...
www.michaelgeist.ca
December 17, 2025 at 4:18 PM
If you can’t call out antisemitism, you can’t deal with it. But too often leaders avoid references to antisemitism or rely on an “all hate matters” message. Given insidious efforts to deny its existence or question motivations behind it, we must call it out.
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/conf...
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/conf...
I posted yesterday about doing multiple CBC interviews on antisemitism. Here's the clip of the discussion with CBC Kamloops, which examined the rise of antisemitism and how it is affecting the Canadian Jewish community.
mgeist.substack.com/p/cbc-daybre...
mgeist.substack.com/p/cbc-daybre...
CBC Daybreak Kamloops Interview on Antisemitism
December 16, 2025
mgeist.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:56 PM
I posted yesterday about doing multiple CBC interviews on antisemitism. Here's the clip of the discussion with CBC Kamloops, which examined the rise of antisemitism and how it is affecting the Canadian Jewish community.
mgeist.substack.com/p/cbc-daybre...
mgeist.substack.com/p/cbc-daybre...
I conducted 14 interviews for CBC this morning on rise of antisemitism:
1. Massive increase in antisemitic violence
2. Fear of calling out antisemitism. If won’t name without qualifiers can’t deal with it
3. Months of libels, violent rhetoric, and intimidation in Jewish communities have consequences
1. Massive increase in antisemitic violence
2. Fear of calling out antisemitism. If won’t name without qualifiers can’t deal with it
3. Months of libels, violent rhetoric, and intimidation in Jewish communities have consequences
December 16, 2025 at 3:26 PM
I conducted 14 interviews for CBC this morning on rise of antisemitism:
1. Massive increase in antisemitic violence
2. Fear of calling out antisemitism. If won’t name without qualifiers can’t deal with it
3. Months of libels, violent rhetoric, and intimidation in Jewish communities have consequences
1. Massive increase in antisemitic violence
2. Fear of calling out antisemitism. If won’t name without qualifiers can’t deal with it
3. Months of libels, violent rhetoric, and intimidation in Jewish communities have consequences
My post on Chanukah Massacre:
"What is shocking is no longer the antisemitic violence, but the willingness of so many to ignore or justify it. It is the ease with which otherwise progressive voices remain silent when the targets of racism or exclusion are Jews"
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/shoc...
"What is shocking is no longer the antisemitic violence, but the willingness of so many to ignore or justify it. It is the ease with which otherwise progressive voices remain silent when the targets of racism or exclusion are Jews"
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/shoc...
“Shock” and the Bondi Beach Chanukah Massacre - Michael Geist
The political response to terrorist attacks - particularly those involving antisemitism - now follow a fairly standard formula relying on a word salad of expressing sadness, assurances that the govern...
www.michaelgeist.ca
December 15, 2025 at 6:29 PM
My post on Chanukah Massacre:
"What is shocking is no longer the antisemitic violence, but the willingness of so many to ignore or justify it. It is the ease with which otherwise progressive voices remain silent when the targets of racism or exclusion are Jews"
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/shoc...
"What is shocking is no longer the antisemitic violence, but the willingness of so many to ignore or justify it. It is the ease with which otherwise progressive voices remain silent when the targets of racism or exclusion are Jews"
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/shoc...
So shameful to see politicians and commentators feign support for the Jewish community in the wake of the Bondi Beach Chanukah massacre after repeatedly dismissing antisemitism threat warnings since October 7th and often fomenting Jewish hate by trafficking in libels dressed up as anti-zionism.
December 14, 2025 at 9:02 PM
So shameful to see politicians and commentators feign support for the Jewish community in the wake of the Bondi Beach Chanukah massacre after repeatedly dismissing antisemitism threat warnings since October 7th and often fomenting Jewish hate by trafficking in libels dressed up as anti-zionism.
As my family prepares to celebrate the start of Chanukah tonight, devastated by the terror attack against the Jewish community in Australia. It is a consequence of relentless antisemitism worldwide and the repeated failures of our leaders explicitly call it out and take action.
December 14, 2025 at 2:05 PM
As my family prepares to celebrate the start of Chanukah tonight, devastated by the terror attack against the Jewish community in Australia. It is a consequence of relentless antisemitism worldwide and the repeated failures of our leaders explicitly call it out and take action.
Short on Law Society of Ontario CLE Professionalism hours with the year coming to an end? The Law Bytes podcast has you covered with the Professionalism Pack: LSO accredited CLE podcasts that emphasize AI and legal tech in the practice of law.
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/07/the-...
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/07/the-...
www.michaelgeist.ca
December 12, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Short on Law Society of Ontario CLE Professionalism hours with the year coming to an end? The Law Bytes podcast has you covered with the Professionalism Pack: LSO accredited CLE podcasts that emphasize AI and legal tech in the practice of law.
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/07/the-...
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/07/the-...
The Catch-22 of Canadian Digital Sovereignty: open version of my Globe op-ed that argues Canadian-based AI infrastructure has its advantages, but digital sovereignty isn’t really one of them.
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/the-...
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/the-...
The Catch-22 of Canadian Digital Sovereignty - Michael Geist
My latest Globe and Mail op-ed begins by noting that digital sovereignty has emerged as the watchword driving Canada’s digital policy agenda, as the government seeks to position the country as a globa...
www.michaelgeist.ca
December 11, 2025 at 4:09 PM
The Catch-22 of Canadian Digital Sovereignty: open version of my Globe op-ed that argues Canadian-based AI infrastructure has its advantages, but digital sovereignty isn’t really one of them.
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/the-...
www.michaelgeist.ca/2025/12/the-...
My Globe and Mail op-ed on digital sovereignty:
“Canadian-based infrastructure has its advantages, but digital sovereignty isn’t one of them. Solving that issue starts with legal solutions that modernize Canadian privacy and data governance laws.”
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
“Canadian-based infrastructure has its advantages, but digital sovereignty isn’t one of them. Solving that issue starts with legal solutions that modernize Canadian privacy and data governance laws.”
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
Opinion: The catch-22 of Canadian digital sovereignty
Data sovereignty requires more than hosting the data in Canada or ensuring it is controlled by Canadian companies
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:17 PM
My Globe and Mail op-ed on digital sovereignty:
“Canadian-based infrastructure has its advantages, but digital sovereignty isn’t one of them. Solving that issue starts with legal solutions that modernize Canadian privacy and data governance laws.”
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
“Canadian-based infrastructure has its advantages, but digital sovereignty isn’t one of them. Solving that issue starts with legal solutions that modernize Canadian privacy and data governance laws.”
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...