Actua applauds Bill C-34, urges greater investment in digital and AI education
Ottawa, ON | June 11, 2026
Actua welcomes the introduction of Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, as a landmark step toward making the digital world safer for young Canadians. By placing greater responsibility on technology platforms to design for youth safety and mitigate systemic online harms, the legislation signals an important shift in accountability. But regulation is only part of the solution.
“We welcome the Safe Social Media Act as an important step toward protecting young people online. But legislation is only one side of the equation,” says Jennifer Flanagan, co-founder and CEO of Actua. “Young Canadians need the digital and AI literacy skills to navigate online spaces safely and responsibly. While the Act sets the rules, digital skills build everyday resilience. We hope to see the government match its commitment to platform accountability with serious investment in digital and AI literacy so youth can become smart and safe digital citizens.”
While recent federal investments in digital skills for youth provide an important foundation, Canada will need a much larger, long-term commitment to digital and AI literacy if it is to keep pace with the rapid evolution of technology. As a national leader already reaching 500,000 Canadian youth annually, Actua stands ready to help scale this work. Bill C-34 is an important step forward, but lasting online safety will require investing not only in safer platforms but in young people’s ability to navigate the digital world with confidence and critical thinking.
About Actua
Actua is creating a Canada where every child has the skills and confidence they need to achieve their full potential. As a leading science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) outreach organization, Actua includes over 40 universities and colleges, engaging 500,000 youth in 600 communities each year. For 25 years, Actua has focused on identifying and removing the barriers for entry into STEM and now has national programs dedicated to engaging Indigenous youth, girls and young women, Black youth, youth with disabilities, those facing economic barriers and youth in Northern and remote communities. Actua’s work is made possible thanks to the support of its major funding partners, including the Government of Canada, Deciem, Suncor Energy Foundation, TD Bank Group, Microsoft Elevate, Toyota Canada Foundation, CIBC Foundation, Enbridge, Cenovus, Imperial, Rideau Hall Foundation and RBC Foundation.
Media contact
Alison Gareau
Senior Director, Communications, Actua
communications@actua.ca
613.234.4137