MediaSmarts calls on federal government to act on national digital media literacy strategy

Ottawa, ON — February 9, 2026 — MediaSmarts has sent an open letter to 10 federal decision-makers, including the Prime Minister and senior Cabinet ministers, urging the Government of Canada to develop a National Strategy for Digital Media Literacy.

The letter, signed by 44 individuals and organizations, highlights growing concerns about misinformation, online hate, scams and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, warning that Canadians’ access to digital media literacy education remains uneven and fragmented. While countries such as Finland, the United Kingdom and Australia have adopted coordinated national approaches, Canada has yet to do so.

In a borderless information environment where trust in institutions is eroding and online spaces are increasingly used to polarize and mislead at scale, the letter argues that digital media literacy is essential democratic infrastructure, not a “nice to have.”

This concern was reinforced in the federal government’s recent AI consultation report, which highlighted the need to teach critical thinking and digital media literacy skills alongside technical AI expertise.  

As MediaSmarts marks its 30th anniversary, the organization is calling for federal leadership, sustained investment and coordination to make sure digital media literacy is treated as a lifelong skill and a core public policy priority.

The letter emphasizes that digital media literacy protects our democracy and complements regulation by equipping people with the skills to recognize manipulation, think critically about the media they consume and engage thoughtfully in civic life.

About MediaSmarts
MediaSmarts is Canada’s charitable centre for digital media literacy. For 30 years, MediaSmarts has developed research, education and public engagement initiatives that help Canadians of all ages use digital media confidently.

Contact 

Tricia Grant 
Director of Marketing and Communications 
MediaSmarts 
613-224-7721 ext. 231 
[email protected]