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OTTAWA – Justice Minister Peter MacKay is expected to introduce legislation today to crack down on cyberbullying.

MacKay, along with Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney will hold a joint news conference in Ottawa this afternoon as part of Bullying Awareness Week.

MacKay had signalled earlier this year that he intended to introduce new ”holistic” legislation this fall to tackle the issue.

In making that statement in September, he said Canadians had been touched by the death of 15-year-old Todd Loik, a Saskatchewan high school student.

His mother said Todd has committed suicide after relentless online tormenting.

MacKay said his death touched the nation as did the previous deaths of Rehtaeh Parsons in Nova Scotia, Amanda Todd in B.C., and others.

Provinces have a patchwork of legislation against bullying, But Kim Loik, the boy’s mother, said she wanted Ottawa to pass national anti-bullying legislation.

MacKay said legislation combining education and changes to the Criminal Code would be introduced.

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