Manitoba's provincial NDP government has announced a bill that would require anyone who detects child pornography to report it to the authorities -- or face jail time.

The proposed legislation will amend an existing law requiring people to report any suspected cases of child abuse.

"Consistent with the laws of reporting child abuse, it's important that we engage and enlist all Manitobans in reporting child pornography," said Gord Mackintosh, head of the province's family services ministry.

The law will also apply to computer technicians and Internet service providers.

Tips are to be directed through the cybertip.ca website, which acts as a national service for receiving reports about online child abuse.

"Essentially, what has been done is amendments have been made to the existing child and family services act to include child pornography and the definition of child abuse," Lianna McDonald, director of The Canadian Centre for Child Protection, the organization that runs Cybertip.ca.

"So essentially, we have just expanded that definition. So any person, any citizen in the province of Manitoba, who now comes across child pornography would have an obligation to report it," McDonald told CTV's Canada AM.

Those found guilty of not reporting child pornography could face up to two years in jail or a $50,000 fine. But Mackintosh admitted that such a law will be difficult to enforce.

"The key issue here, of course, is not about prosecutions, it's about prevention, sending a strong message," he said.

Critics say the bill may be little more than a political maneuver.

"It's nice to stand on a soapbox and huff and puff about this legislation, but there had better be some teeth,'' said Tory justice critic Gerald Hawranik.

The NDP promised such legislation in its November 2006 throne speech. However, this past May's provincial election delayed the legislative agenda.

With files from The Canadian Press and a report from CTV Manitoba's Stacey Ashley