Statement from Friends of Canadian Media on the introduction of the Safe Social Media Act.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OTTAWA, JUNE 10, 2026 – Raj Shoan, Executive Director for Friends of Canadian Media made the following statement:
“Friends of Canadian Media welcomes today’s introduction of the Safe Social Media Act and the creation of a Digital Safety Commission, an important step toward ensuring that Canadians can participate safely and confidently in the digital public sphere.
After the previous attempt at online safety legislation stalled in 2025, it is encouraging to see the federal government return to this urgent file with renewed commitment. The rise in online harassment, targeted abuse, and platform‑enabled harms continues to threaten not only individual Canadians – especially children – but also the health of our democracy and the sustainability of a free and independent press.
Friends of Canadian Media has been deeply engaged in this issue for several years, including through our work on the 2024 online harms legislation and our most recent national campaign, which mobilized thousands of Canadians to write to Minister Miller and Minister Solomon calling for stronger protections and clearer accountability from digital platforms. Today’s announcement reflects the growing recognition that online harms are no longer a narrow technology issue; they are a public safety, public health, and democratic integrity issue that affects all Canadians.
As Parliament begins its study of the Safe Social Media Act, we look forward to contributing constructive, evidence‑based recommendations to ensure the legislation is effective and responsive to the realities faced by media workers, news organizations, and everyday Canadians, especially the most vulnerable among us.”
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Friends of Canadian Media is a non-partisan citizens’ movement that stands up for Canadian voices in Canadian media – from public broadcasting to news, entertainment, culture, and online civil discourse, we work to protect and defend Canada’s rich cultural sovereignty and the healthy democracy it sustains. We are a not-for-profit organization that receives no government funding or donations from political parties or CRTC-regulated entities.