Digital Expo 2025: Bridging the AI Divide 
Saturday, October 4 — 9:30 am - 4:30 pm ET 
North York Central Library, Concourse Event Space
Hosted by Toronto Public Library

A full-day expo featuring keynotes, panels, and workshops on AI’s impact on privacy, safety, and digital citizenship. The event includes industry leaders, a marketplace of innovations, and opportunities for public engagement.

 

Break the Fake 
Monday, October 6 — 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm ET 
Metro Hall, 55 John Street Toronto
Hosted by ConnectTO

Presented by MediaSmarts, this hands-on workshop will teach you how to spot misinformation, verify online content (including deepfakes), and even use AI tools to separate fact from fiction. This workshop is open to the public and is free for all attendees.

 

Discover Online Safety Workshop  
Thursday, October 16 — 1:00 pm EDT 
Virtual - Zoom
Hosted by Get Cyber Safe and MediaSmarts 

Designed for beginners, this workshop covers essential online safety topics including creating strong passwords, downloading apps safely, and recognizing scams.

 

 

Listening, Speaking Out & Connecting in An Age of Rage
Sunday October 19 — 1:00 pm  
In-person - Centre Wakefield La Pêche
Virtual - Livestream
Hosted by The Wakefield Writers Festival

In a world hungry for authentic connection and meaningful conversation, join us for an uplifting exploration of how we can rediscover the power of thoughtful communication to bring people together. 

 

This inspiring event brings together renowned voices Carol Off, celebrated former CBC “As It Happens” host and acclaimed author, and Professor Timothy Caulfield from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Law and School of Public Health. Drawing from their latest works—At a Loss for Words: Conversations in an Age of Rage and The Certainty Illusion: What You Don’t Know and Why It Matters—they’ll share wisdom for navigating our complex world.

 

 

RALLY 2025
Tuesday, October 21 
Meridian Hall, Toronto
Hosted by RALLY

On October 21, RALLY 2025 will take over Meridian Hall with 3,000+ high school students and teachers. This one-day digital wellness festival features over 30 speakers, inspiring performances, and interactive zones built around five core themes: mental health & digital wellness, self-expression & identity, digital citizenship & media literacy, social impact & community and the future of work & technology. 

 

Register your class for free and give your students a field trip they’ll never forget. Limited spots available — reserve today!

 

 

Coding Meets Media: Teaching Literacy Through Codingville (Educator PD - K-12)
Tuesday, October 21 — 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm EST
Virtual - YouTube Live
Hosted by Logics Academy

Join us and our presenter from Canva for an engaging and hands-on workshop designed to empower educators with the creative possibilities of Canva! Whether you're brand new to the platform or a seasoned user looking to explore the latest features, this session has something for everyone.

 

 

Wednesday, October 22 — 12:00 pm ET 
Virtual Event

Hosted by YouthSpeak

 

 

Navigating Online Privacy and Security Workshop
Thursday, October 23 — 1:00 pm EDT 
Virtual - Zoom
Hosted by Get Cyber Safe and MediaSmarts 

This workshop is for beginner to intermediate learners and focuses on securing accounts and devices. Topics include malware prevention and responding to cyberstalking.

 

 

Thursday, October 23 — 1:00 pm ET
Virtual - Zoom
Hosted by United for Literacy

Join United for Literacy’s free online forum, Literacy and Future-Ready Skills, on Oct 23. Explore how foundational literacy supports digital media skills and workplace opportunities for adult learners across Canada. Register now for this dynamic panel hosted by CBC’s Sean Henry. More info at unitedforliteracy.ca.

 

 

Thursday, October 23 — 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm EST
Virtual - Microsoft Teams
Hosted by Logics Academy

In this interactive educator webinar, discover how Codingville can strengthen students’ media literacy skills while supporting digital competencies. Activities will integrate coding with analyzing online content such as bias, persuasion, and misinformation. Educators will leave with practical strategies to help students think critically and communicate responsibly while coding.

 

Find the Facts: Learn to Tell What’s Real and What’s Fake on the Internet
Saturday, October 25 — 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
40 School Road, L'Ardoise Nova Scotia, B0E1S0

Hosted by Dr. Kingston Memorial Community Health Centre

Many of us feel overwhelmed by the flood of information we see everyday on social media sites. Now that AI generated content is becoming more common, it can be hard to know what is reliable, and what is misleading. We can help you understand! Join this workshop to learn how algorithms decide what you see, as well as practical skills to check facts and stay safe online. Open to adults of all ages and skill levels!

 

Getting Started With: Generative AI (Media Literacy Week Edition)
Monday, October 27 — 10:00 am - 11:00 am MT
Virtual - Online
Hosted by the University of Alberta Library

 

 

Monday, October 27 — 11:00 am
Ottawa Public Library - 120 Metcalfe St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5M2

Hosted by Ottawa Public Library and MediaSmarts

Come learn about finding and verifying information online. Sharpen your critical thinking skills and improve your ability to find, recognize and share quality information! There will be a one-hour presentation in English and then half an hour for questions. While the presentation is in English, the presenter is bilingual and can answer questions asked in French. Feel free to bring a notebook and come with questions! Registration not required.

 

 

Coding & Media Literacy with Codingville (Co-taught Classroom Workshop)
Monday, October 27 — 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm EST
Virtual - YouTube Live
Hosted by Logics Academy

CodiStudents will explore Codingville, an engaging platform introducing coding fundamentals while highlighting media literacy. Through projects, they will examine how algorithms shape media exposure and learn to question messages they encounter. Students will gain both coding experience and critical awareness of media.

 

 

Monday, October 27 — 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Virtual - Zoom

Hosted by Ajax Public Library

Learn four quick and easy steps to take to spot misinformation and find out if something online is true or not. This workshop will also cover methods for recognizing AI-generated misinformation as well as tips on how to use AI to verify information. Presented in partnership with MediaSmarts.

 

Media Literacy Week! Live Event
Tuesday, October 28 — 9:00 am - 9:30 am + 11:00 am - 11:30 am
Virtual
Hosted by the New Brunswick Centre of Excellence for Digital Innovation

Join us! On Oct. 28th, we will be hosting sessions on how to Break the Fake for grades 3-5 (9 am) and grade 6-8 (11 am). Students will learn strategies for recognizing online misinformation, verifying what they see, and the impact it has on our world.

 

 

Motives and Methods: Key Findings in Building Resilience to Online Misinformation in Canada
Tuesday, October 28 — 12:00 pm EST
Virtual - Zoom
Hosted by the Canadian Sociology Association and MediaSmarts

Webinar attendees can expect to learn about Canadians’ responses to online misinformation, the unique needs of demographics unequally impacted by the digital divide, and evidence-based recommendations for effective interventions to address misinformation in Canada.

 

 

The Viral Truth: Fighting Health Disinformation in a Connected World
Tuesday, October 28 — 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Online event
Hosted by McGill Library

In an era where social media influencers, AI tools, and profit-driven media shape public understanding of the world, health disinformation poses a growing threat to individual and community well-being. This session will examine the evolving landscape of health misinformation, from viral myths and misleading wellness trends to the growing use of AI as a stand-in for professional medical care. Through real-world examples and discussion, participants will learn practical strategies to spot and counter false claims, build trust in reliable sources, and support informed decision-making in their community.

 

 

Video Games and Media Literacy (for adults) 
Tuesday, October 28 — 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
In-person - Fort Saskatchewan Public Library

Hosted by Fort Saskatchewan Public Library

This adult workshop explores how video games shape narratives, influence media consumption, and contribute to digital literacy.

 

 

Your Voice is Power AI Songwriting Lesson (Co-taught Classroom Workshop)
Tuesday, October 28 — 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EST
Virtual - YouTube Live
Hosted by Logics Academy

This co-taught lesson combines music, songwriting, and AI literacy for Grade 4+. Students first write lyrics while reflecting on AI’s limitations and ethical concerns. Then, they test AI songwriting tools, comparing results to their own, and critically evaluate creativity, bias, and originality in human vs. AI works.

 

 

Break the Fake Workshop
Tuesday, October 28 — 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Gander Public & Resource Library, 6 Bell Place, Gander, NL
Hosted by Newfoundland & Labrador Public Libraries

Learn four quick, easy steps to spot misinformation and find out if something online is true or not.

 

 

Focusing on Evaluating Information and Misinformation (Media Literacy Week Edition)
Wednesday, October 29 — 10:00 am - 11:00 am MDT
Virtual - Online
Hosted by the University of Alberta Library

Explore how to identify different categories of misinformation and evaluate sources effectively. This public workshop is part of Media Smart’s 20th annual Media Literacy Week.

 

 

Wednesday, October 29 — 10:00 am - 11:00 am PDT
Virtual - Online

Hosted by Fraser Valley Regional Library

This workshop empowers students to critically evaluate online content. Using the house hippo video as a springboard, participants explore how images and stories can be misleading and learn how to separate fact from fiction online. Following the workshop, educators have the option of using the house hippo colouring sheet to reinforce the learnings from the session. Registration required. Suitable for Grades 4 and 5

 

 

Edit Happens: Understanding Wikipedia’s Open Secret
Wednesday, October 29 — 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Online event
Hosted by McGill Library

Wikipedia is one of the most widely used information sources in the world, but do you know how it actually works? Who does all this writing? Who revises for accuracy? Who can edit? Who owns Wikipedia? Is Wikipedia reliable? In this presentation, we will demystify how Wikipedia works behind the scenes and provide participants with tools to read it We will explore how articles are created and maintained, what policies and guidelines govern content, and who the volunteer editors are. Participants will learn practical tips for evaluating Wikipedia articles: how to recognize Whether you use Wikipedia for study, research, learning or personal curiosity, this workshop will equip you with skills to better navigate and assess history’s largest open and collective source of information.

 

 

Wednesday, October 29 — 12:00 pm EST
Virtual - Zoom

Hosted by York University’s Institute for Research on Digital Literacies

This session explores how voice assistants like Alexa and Siri capture and process data. Participants will gain practical knowledge and access a free resource about protecting privacy in a voice-driven digital world.

 

 

Create, Code & Stay Smart: A Student Workshop on CanvaCode, AI Bias & Media Literacy
Wednesday, October 29 — 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EST
Virtual - YouTube Live
Hosted by Logics Academy

Join us on October 29th for Media Literacy Day and unleash your creativity while sharpening your digital smarts! In this hands-on workshop, students will dive into CanvaCode, a powerful tool that lets them design and build their very own interactive learning games — perfect for reinforcing classroom concepts or exploring new ideas in a fun, personalized way. But that's not all. As students learn to code, they'll also explore the hidden biases and misinformation lurk that can lurk in artificial intelligence. Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, they'll discover how to spot false information, understand how bias can shape digital tools, and learn practical strategies to stay safe and smart online.

 

 

Reading Between the Algorithms: Using Media Literacy to Demystify AI
Wednesday, October 29 — 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Online event
Hosted by McGill Library

AI seems to be everywhere—on your social feeds, in the news, even in your classes. But how do you know what’s real and what’s just hype? In this workshop, we’ll use media literacy skills to “read between the algorithms” and figure out what AI is really doing in our lives. You’ll learn how to spot myths, question headlines, and walk away feeling more confident about understanding and talking about AI.

 

 

Wednesday, October 29 — 1:00 pm EDT 
Virtual - Zoom
Hosted by Get Cyber Safe and MediaSmarts 

Learn how to evaluate sources, avoid misinformation, and safely use digital platforms such as Wikipedia, YouTube, and social media. Participants will practice hands-on strategies for smarter online information choices.

 

 

Wednesday, October 29 — 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm MDT
In-person - Fort Saskatchewan Public Library

Hosted by Fort Saskatchewan Public Library

This family-friendly session introduces youth to the differences between misinformation and disinformation. Through examples and guided discussion, families will learn strategies to build resilience against false content.

 

 

Wednesday, October 29 — 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm EST
Carleton Place Public Library, 101 Beckwith Street Carleton Place, Ontario

Hosted by Carleton Place Public Library

It’s hard to know what’s real and what isn’t anymore online. Join us tonight to find out how to make it easier to tell what you should believe, and how to tell if someone is trying to fool you. 

 

 

Wednesday, October 29 — 6:00 pm EST
Virtual - Zoom

Hosted by Jack.org

Jack.org’s mission is to work alongside youth to build communities and systems that support their mental health needs. By empowering youth to understand mental health, support their peers, and advocate for change, we build a future where youth can thrive. There are lots of social determinants that affect mental health. Increasingly, social media and the internet more broadly can be both a tool for connection as well as a source of confusion. 

 

We’re excited to offer a workshop in collaboration with MediaSmarts called: Break the Fake: Misinformation and How to Spot It. We hope this will provide an engaging and informative way to address some of the confusion around misinformation online as well as provide some tools that help young people stay informed and connected.

 

 

Wednesday, October 29 — 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm EST
Hot Docs Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W, Toronto ON

Hosted by The Canadian Journalism Foundation

Join renowned digital media expert Craig Silverman as he maps this new landscape of digital deception and reveals practical defence strategies for journalists and citizens. Discover how modern verification tools like Indicator fit into today’s newsroom toolkit, and learn investigative techniques to separate authentic content from sophisticated fakes. 

 

The evening features an in-depth conversation with Carolyn Jarvis exploring Silverman’s frontline experience tracking misinformation campaigns and his vision for building more resilient information ecosystems. 

 

Whether you’re a journalist, media professional, or engaged citizen, this event will equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate our increasingly complex digital world.

 

 

Thursday, October 30 — 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm ET 
Virtual - Online

Hosted by YMCA Ignite

Presented by MediaSmarts, the Break the Fake: How to tell what's true online workshop will teach adults and youth ages 11 and up four quick, easy steps they can take to spot misinformation and find out if something online is true or not. The workshop includes methods for recognizing AI-generated misinformation, including deepfakes, as well as tips on how to use AI for verifying information. 

 

 

Thursday, October 30 — 12:00 pm ET 
Virtual Event

Hosted by YouthSpeak

 

 

Thursday, October 30 — 12:00 pm  
Virtual - Zoom

Hosted by MediaSmarts and ITDS-CSA

Presented by MediaSmarts, the Break the Fake: How to tell what's true online workshop will teach adults and youth ages 11 and up four quick, easy steps they can take to spot misinformation and find out if something online is true or not. The workshop includes methods for recognizing AI-generated misinformation, including deepfakes, as well as tips on how to use AI for verifying information. 

 

 

Thursday, October 30 — 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EST
Virtual - YouTube Live
Hosted by Logics Academy

Students will enter a custom-designed Minecraft Education world with CBC Kids News to learn how misinformation spreads. Acting as reporters, they investigate sources, identify bias, and distinguish fact from falsehood. Collaboration in the virtual environment builds both coding skills and critical digital literacy practices.

 

 

Thursday, October 30 — 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm EST 
Virtual - Zoom

Hosted by LEARN

A 30-minute webinar exploring multimodal production, from podcasts to video creation, as effective ways to reinforce classroom learning. Resources from Digital Competency in Action and Media Smarts will be highlighted.

 

 

Thursday, October 30 — 4 pm
Ottawa Public Library - North Gloucester, 2036 Ogilvie Rd, Gloucester, ON

Hosted by Ottawa Public Library

The "Break the Fake: How to tell what's true online" workshop will teach audiences four quick, easy steps they can take to spot misinformation and find out if something online is true or not. The workshop includes methods for recognizing AI-generated misinformation, including deepfakes, as well as tips on how to use AI for verifying information. Designed for audiences aged 11 and up. Registration encouraged but not required.

 

 

Thursday, October 30 — 6 pm
Ottawa Public Library - Carp, 3911 Carp Rd, Carp, ON

Hosted by Ottawa Public Library

This workshop outlines how parents and guardians can support children’s well-being and help them balance the risks and benefits of digital media. Based on insights from MediaSmarts’ research with youth, the workshop provides an overview of online risk categories and provides resources and essential strategies that participants can take to manage these risks.

 

 

Thursday, October 30 — 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Heffner Studio - Programming Room Central Library 85 Queen St N Kitchener Ontario

Hosted by Kitchener Public Library

Celebrate Media Literacy Week with this hands-on pop-up event! Kids and families are invited to explore what it means to be safe, kind, and smart online through interactive stations based on Google’s Be Internet Awesome curriculum. Play your way through Interland on our Chromebooks, design your own digital hero badge, take the Digital Citizenship Pledge, and more! Drop in and start your journey to becoming a better digital citizen.

 

 

Thursday, October 30 — 7:00 - 8:30 pm
North Vancouver City Library, 120 14th Street West North Vancouver V7M 1N9

Hosted by Hamilton Public Library

In the age of mass information, information overload, viral fake news and newly proliferating Artificial Intelligence, how can you know what you are looking at is real, true and accurate? In this class we'll evaluate online content from articles to images and videos, and see if you can spot what's real and what's fake. We'll also provide some tips and tricks for identifying real and fake content. You can attend at the library or via Zoom. Registration is required for Zoom participation; the Zoom link will be sent to the email used to register. Registration is also recommended for in-person attendance. Dropping in will be permitted if space allows.

 

 

Thursday, October 30 — 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm PDT (7:30 pm - 9:30 pm EDT)
SFU Burnaby Campus, K8660

Hosted by Simon Fraser University - School of Communication

Have you ever seen a new story online that didn’t quite add up? Has a family member recounted a story about politics that made you say, “Wait… what?” Today’s information ecosystem is more complex than ever, with new tools such as AI and longstanding threats like propaganda making it difficult to sort fact from fiction and find the truth. 

 

Investigating Information, a free workshop and panel hosted by students and faculty from the SFU School of Communication, is an exciting opportunity to learn more about these threats and gain practical skills to think critically about the media you encounter every day. Join us for an interactive session highlighting tested techniques for information verification and learn more about the impacts of threats like disinformation. The next time you aren’t sure about that social media post, you’ll have the skills to investigate that information!

 

Boo by the Numbers: Spooky Stats & Scary Graphs
Friday, October 31 — 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Online event
Hosted by McGill Library

Are you ready for a spooktacular dive into the numbers that haunt Halloween? From candy consumption and costume trends to horror movie box office hits and pumpkin sales, this session will unwrap the eerie, quirky, and surprising data behind one of the world’s most beloved holidays. Whether you're a data ghoul, a curious witch, or just here for the treats, join us as we explore how Halloween traditions have evolved, what the stats say about our spooky spending habits, and how data can help us understand the cultural impact of fright night. No need to leave your crypt! Just log in and let the data enchant you. Costumes optional, curiosity required!

 

Let’s Talk About Fake News: Concepts, Types, and Impact — A Talk with Dr. Ahmed Al-Rawi
Saturday, November 1 — 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Bowen Island Library – Annex 430 Bowen Trunk Rd. Bowen Island, BC V0N1G0
Hosted by Bowen Island Library

Don’t miss this engaging, interactive, in-person presentation with SFU professor, Dr. Ahmed Al-Rawi. 

 

What’s the difference between misinformation and disinformation? What’s “disruptive information” and how does AI-generated media play into the information landscape? Dr. Al-Rawi will focus on how these concepts play out in the Canadian context, including how sensational and false narratives about topics like politics can become polarizing and misleading. He’ll show us how to detect and deal with misinformation, and explain why fighting it through fact-checking and transparent communication is vital for informed decision-making and societal well-being.