Events & Activities

Media Literacy Week 2026 is right around the corner and we've got a growing nationwide lineup of events for you to discover! 

Planning an event for your local community? We want to hear all about it. Sign up to be a collaborator today!

October 3

Digital Expo: AI & Democracy
Saturday, October 3 — 9:30 am - 4:30 pm ET 
In-person Event — 789 Yonge Street Toronto, ON M4W 2G8
Hosted by Toronto Public Library in partnership with MediaSmarts
Featuring a panel discussion with Matthew Johnson, Director of Education at MediaSmarts, this year's Digital Expo is a dynamic day of learning, exploration, and connection focused on shaping a responsible AI future for everyone. Discover how emerging technologies are transforming our lives, communities, and civic institutions.
 
 

October 5

Be An Active Digital Citizen - Play-based Workshop for Families
Monday, October 5 — 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm ET 
In-person Event — 3990 Major Mackenzie Drive East Markham, ON, Canada, L6C 1P8
Hosted by Kids Rights Canada and Markham Public Library
In this play-based, interactive workshop for children and families, Kids Rights Canada in exploring what it means to be a smart, safe, and empowered digital citizen. Through games and hands-on activities, children will practice healthy social media habits and learn about their digital rights online in a fun, age-appropriate way.
 
 

October 9

Digital Storytelling with LEARN
Friday, October 9 — 9:30 am - 3:00 pm ET 
In-person Event — 4190 Rue Garand, Suite 201, Laval, QC, Canada, H7L 5Z6
Hosted by LEARN
Amplify student voices through hands-on digital storytelling at LEARN’s free, bilingual Open Creative Space! Collaborate with peers, test tools like Canva, Google Vids, and Stop-Motion, and explore projects aligned with Professional Competency 12. Content is tailored to your grade and subject. Pizza lunch included (release time not covered). Register today!
 
 

October 14

RALLY 2026
Wednesday, October 14 — 8:30 am - 4:00 pm ET 
In-person Event — Meridian Hall, 1 Front St E, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5E 1B2
Hosted by RALLY
RALLY is Canada's digital wellness festival for high school students, presented by Bell Let's Talk. Held each fall at Meridian Hall in Toronto, RALLY brings together up to 3,000 Grade 9 to 12 students and educators for a day of speakers, performances and hands-on experiences about mental health, identity, media literacy, community and the future of work. Admission is free for school groups. RALLY is produced by OFFLINE EVENTS LTD. and returns on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
 
 

October 22

Parenting in the Digital Age: An Essential Guide to Fostering Healthy Online Habits
Thursday, October 22 — 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm ET 
Online Event 
Hosted by Kids Rights Canada and Markham Public Library
Managing children's social media and AI usage often feels like a constant battle over restrictions. Join Kids Rights Canada in learning practical strategies and everyday language to build healthy digital habits and encourage open dialogue at home.
 
 

October 26

Building Healthy Minds in a Digital World (Gr. 1 - 6)
Monday October 26 — 1:30 pm - 2:15 pm MT
Online Event
Hosted by Calgary Public Library
In today’s digital world, children are constantly receiving messages about who they should be, how they should feel, and what success looks like. This interactive session helps students build the skills to navigate media in a healthy, confident, and balanced way. 
 
 
What's Real Online?
Monday October 26 — 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm ET 
In-person Event — 900 Clark Avenue West Vaughan, Ontario, Canada, L4J 8C1
Hosted by Vaughan Public Library
How can you know what's real these days? Come play a Real or Fake quiz game and learn how you can avoid being tricked online! For grades 3-5.
 
 

October 27

National Online Forum: Literacy and Digital Media: Building the Road to Critical Thinking
Tuesday, October 27 — 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm ET
Online Event - Zoom
Hosted by United for Literacy in partnership with MediaSmarts
Why is critical thinking important when young people navigate digital media? This National Online Forum brings together experts and youth voices to explore the role of literacy and critical thinking in how we navigate information, AI and digital media today. Open to all.
 
 
CyberSafe Seniors: Preventing AI Fraud and Scams
Tuesday, October 27 — 1:00 pm ET
Online Event - Zoom
Presented by MediaSmarts in partnership with the Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario with support from Meta.
Scammers are using AI to create fake voices, videos and messages that look and sound real, with older adults often the target. This workshop gives you the tools to spot these scams, respond safely and protect yourself and your family. ASL translation services will be provided
 
 
Robot Free Research – Find & Evaluate without AI with AWCS (Gr 4 – 6)
Tuesday, October 27 — 1:30 pm - 2:15 pm MT
Online Event
Hosted by Calgary Public Library
Discover how AI works, why it sometimes gets things wrong, and how your own human intelligence helps you find better answers!
 
 
J-Talks Live – THE LEDE: A Live Editorial Meeting Experience
Tuesday, October 27 — 7:00 pm ET
In-person Event — 789 Yonge Street Toronto, ON, Canada, M4W 2G8
Presented by The Canadian Journalism Foundation and Toronto Public Library 
In this Media Literacy Week event, presented in partnership with the Toronto Public Library, three journalists from The Globe and Mail, Canada's national newspaper, will each pitch the story they believe deserves the lead position in tomorrow's news: deputy head of investigations Robyn Doolittle, politics and economy editor Ryan MacDonald and news photo editor Solana Cain. Editor-in-chief David Walmsley will question their assumptions, challenge their reasoning and make the final call, live, in front of the audience.
 
 
Tech Workshop: Break the Fake
Tuesday, October 27 —  6:00 pm - 7:00 pm MT
In-person Event — 4715 50 Ave, Sylvan Lake, AB, Canada, T4S 1C5
Hosted by Sylvan Lake Municipal Library
Not sure how to tell what's true and what's misinformation? Unsure whether an image or video is real, or deepfake? Curious about using AI to verify information in real time? Join us at the Sylvan Lake Library for a free tech workshop focusing on spotting fake media and misinformation!
 
 
Media Literacy Week - Helping Youth Navigate the Digital World
Tuesday, October 27 — 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm MT
Online Event
Hosted by Calgary Public Library
Social media, AI, and online trends are shaping youth. This program helps adults support safe and responsible digital use.
 
 

October 28

Staying Safe Online (Gr. 4 – 6)
Wednesday, October 28 — 1:30 pm - 2:15 pm MT
Online Event
Hosted by Calgary Public Library
Build digital citizenship skills! Students explore online safety, social media, AI, digital footprints, and cyberbullying.
 
 
Beyond Doomscrolling! (For adults)
Wednesday, October 28 — 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm MT
In-person Event — 10011 102 Street, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Canada
Hosted by Fort Saskatchewan Public Library
This fun, informal session explores the "analog trend." We'll talk about how to curb doomscrolling by creating a portable bag of offline hobbies like cross-stitch, journaling, puzzle books and, of course, books! Get inspiration, share your favorite screen-free activities, and reconnect with your creativity. Attendees can enter a draw to win a pre-made analog bag to take home
 

October 30

Is It Real or Is It AI? (For adults)
Friday, October 30 — 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm MT
In-person Event — 10011 102 Street, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Canada
Hosted by Fort Saskatchewan Public Library
Artificial Intelligence is no longer science fiction - it’s creating photorealistic images, mimicking voices of loved ones, and writing text that sounds perfectly human. This rapid change raises urgent questions: How do we discern truth in the digital age? What are the risks and opportunities of this technology? This practical guide is for the curious, concerned, and connected adult. No technical background required.