Canada: Social Media

The creator economy has fundamentally changed how Canadians earn income. YouTubers, Instagram influencers, TikTok personalities, Twitch streamers, podcasters, affiliate marketers, bloggers, online educators, subscription-based performers, and other digital entrepreneurs now generate substantial revenues through online platforms.

Saskatchewan has officially brought The Defamation Act into force. The Defamation Act replaces the province's century-old Libel and Slander Act, which had been in place since 1909. The new legislation reflects the realities of modern communication and is designed to address how reputational harm occurs in an era dominated by online publishing, social media, and digital news platforms.

In SGS Canada Inc v. Carrier, 2026 ONSC 4751 (CanLII), the corporate plaintiff was a Canadian subsidiary of a large multinational company operating laboratories and offices across the country. The defendant was a manager of business development for the plaintiff for approximately two years until October 2025, when his employment was terminated without cause.

The Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario has issued new guidance establishing that brokers' online activities are subject to the same professional standards as their offline conduct.

Bill C-34, Canada's Safe Social Media Act, proposes sweeping regulations for social media platforms, AI chatbots, and online services through a new Digital Safety Commission. Drawing from the EU's Digital Services Act, Australia's social media age restrictions, and U.S. state AI chatbot laws, the legislation would impose age verification requirements, mandate harmful content labeling, and establish crisis intervention protocols for AI systems that detect self-harm ideation.

In the wake of the recently announced Canadian AI strategy, Mark Carney’s Liberal government is beginning to lay the groundwork for a regulatory framework designed to build and maintain public trust.

On January 21, 2026, the Federal Court set aside the Canadian government's order to shut down TikTok Technology Canada's operations, allowing the company to maintain its offices while the matter undergoes further review.

An employee's use of social media — even in their private lives — remains a significant concern for employers, who must manage the potential consequences of online content that could harm their reputation.

L'utilisation des réseaux sociaux par les employés, même dans leur sphère personnelle, demeure une source importante de préoccupations pour les employeurs, qui doivent gérer les conséquences potentielles de contenus diffusés en ligne susceptibles d'affecter leur image.