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Cyberbullying in Canada is a matter being looked at on a nationally specific level, focussing on the analytics of cyberbullying and approaches to ending it. As 94 percent of Canadian youth have a Facebook account, 87 percent have cellphones by the tenth grade, and seven out of 10 websites they visit are social media based, there is increased concern over bullying behaviour taking place on these platforms. While cyberbullying can be defined as using communication and information technology to bring a person harm, there is no universally-accepted definition, making research into the topic varied. However research and studies are being done in Canada, particularly after the high-profile cases that occurred at the beginning of the 2010s, and have unveiled important statistics regarding how cyberbullying is affecting nearly 20 percent of Canadian youth.

To combat these statistics, there are many organizations in Canada that are working to stop cyberbullying and provide information and services to victims. There are also several anti-bullying events that take place annually in the country that have garnered international participation, such as Pink Shirt Day and the Light Up Purple campaign.

Victims looking for justice also have several legal responses for aspects of cyberbullying that can be taken should they wish to press charges, including harassment and defamatory libel. In addition, the federal and provincial governments have introduced legislation such as Bill C-13 and the Cyber-Safety Act with the goal of changing how cyberbullying is prosecuted.

Statistics
Many organizations have done research on cyberbullying in Canada and have provided important statistics that show the degree to which this event is occurring within the country. According to the World Health Organization, Canada ranks low on an international list of bullying incidents, sitting at 26 out of 35 countries (with one being the least amount of incidents and 35 being the greatest).

Victim Statistics
A 2016 Statistics Canada study found that nearly one in five Internet users between the ages of 15 and 29 (20 percent) have been cyberbullied or cyberstalked, with 17 percent of this group saying they had been victims in the past five years. Within this group, victimization was found more frequently amongst the younger individuals. While 20 percent of 15 to 20 year olds experienced cyberbullying and/or cyberstalking, this percentage dropped to 15 percent in the 27 to 29 year old age group. This coincides with the findings from a survey conducted on 416 Canadian teens where 51 percent stated they have had negative experiences with elements of social networking. These experiences varied, with 16 percent saying an embarrassing photo had been posted of them, 12 percent saying their social media had been hacked and the perpetrator was pretending to be them, and six percent saying information about them had been used to harass them.

It has also been found that more than 40 percent of young Internet users who reported their victimization had low trust in individuals at work and school, and that victims have to tell over 10 adults about their victimization before they are able to find someone who can help. Additionally, the number one reason young people do not report their victimization is fear of having their Internet access taken away.

From a demographic perspective, the young homosexual and bisexual population has been found to be at a larger risk of cyberbullying and/or cyberstalking by more than double the heterosexual population. While the heterosexual population’s percentage of cyberbullying and/or cyberstalking is 15, the homosexual and bisexual population’s percentage is more than one third.

Perpetrator Statistics
It has been found that 25 percent of Canadian children have admitted to cyberbullying behaviour and more than half of youth who participate in this behaviour state that they were “just joking around.”

Witness Statistics
In a survey of 422 Canadian teens, over 35 percent with a social networking profile said they have seen mean or inappropriate comments about someone they know online. A separate survey of 416 Canadian teens also found that younger teens are more likely to witness cyberbullying. 25 percent of teens aged 12-15 stated they had witnessed online bullying, in comparison to 16-17 year olds at 14 percent.

It was also found that teenage girls are more likely to witness cyberbullying than teenage boys. 25 percent of teenage girls online witnessed this type of behaviour while only 17 percent of teenage boys had.

Additional Statistics
After surveying a sample of 1,569 Canadians, an Ipsos survey was able to uncover statistics regarding the national opinion on cyberbullying. In this survey, eight in 10 Canadians stated that they were concerned with cyberbullying, with 51 percent saying they were very concerned and 33 percent saying they were somewhat concerned. It was also found that concern is highest in the Prairies, with the largest concern being from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba at 86 percent, Atlantic Canadians and Quebec at 85 percent, and Ontario at 82 percent. British Columbia holds the lowest percentage of concern at 77.

Studies have also been done on Canadian parents, and have found that eight percent of parents with children between the ages of seven and 17 claimed their child had been cyberbullied, with 26 percent stating they did not know if their child had been a victim. This percentage rises to 34 for parents of children between 13 and 15. Parent gender has also been looked at and it has been found that females are more likely to report their child’s victimization (the percentage being at nine percent in comparison to males’ six percent).

High-Profile Cases
There are two cases of cyberbullying in Canada that have garnered attention on a global scale. Due to their high-profile nature, the cases have continued to be followed by the media years after their occurrence, with news organizations continuing to write articles on updates.

Amanda Todd
On October 10, 2012, 15 year old British Columbia native Amanda Todd committed suicide after she was blackmailed online and cyberbullied by her peers. After posting a video on YouTube explaining her pain and bullying experience, millions around the world knew of Todd's story.

Rehtaeh Parsons
On April 7, 2013, 17 year old Nova Scotian Rehtaeh Parsons passed away from suicide after she was sexually assaulted and bullied online. Her story garnered a large amount of publicity, to the point that hacker group Anonymous became involved in an attempt to expose and bring justice against her attackers.

Organizations & Charities
Within Canada there are multiple organizations that provide information and resources for victims suffering from cyberbullying and cyber-related issues, along with those looking for information on how to navigate the Internet safely.

Amanda Todd Legacy
The Amanda Todd Legacy is a non-profit society created after the death of Amanda Todd. The non-profit provides resources and education on various topics including bullying, cyber abuse, mental health, and Internet safety, as well as information on awareness and prevention. The society has achieved global recognition by presenting at various academic institutions, community events, and conferences.

BullyingCanada
BullyingCanada was launched on December 17, 2006 by 14 year old Katie Thompson and 17 year old Rob Benn-Frennette, making it the first anti-bullying website created by youths. It is the first and only national bullying charity in the country and provides information and support to everyone involved in the bullying process: this includes victims, perpetrators, bystanders, families, schools, and communities. To aid in providing support, BullyingCanada also has a telephone service which can be accessed 24 hours a day.

Canadian Red Cross- Beyond the Hurt
Part of the Canadian Red Cross’s "Bullying and Harassment Prevention Programs", the Beyond the Hurt program provides various workshops for grade 6-12 students and staff in schools to create a safe environment and empower students so that they can prevent bullying from occurring and resolve threatening situations. The goal of Beyond the Hurt is to eradicate bystanders of bullying and ensure that students step in before bullying is able to take place. The program also provides information on how to locate resources for responding to matters like cyberbullying and harassment.

Cybertip.ca
Beginning operation on September 26, 2002, Cybertip.ca operates as a national tip line for reports of sexually exploitative actions against children in Canada. With a goal of reducing child victimization, Cybertip.ca offers programs, services, and resources to the public to ensure Canadians understand how to use the Internet safely.

Kid's Help Phone
As Canada’s national telephone and texting counseling service, the Kids Help Phone provides Canadian youth counselling, articles, referrals, and resources for any challenge they may be facing, including cyberbullying, abuse, emotional well-being, identity, and more. Kids Help Phone is available 24 hours a day, is bilingual, and anonymous.

NeedHelpNow.ca
NeedHelpNow.ca is a website created to help Canadian youth 13-17 years old recover after having sexual images or videos of themselves shared among peers. A sister program to Cybertip.ca, both programs are run by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, with NeedHelpNow.ca focussing on providing practical steps for youth to take after the situation has occurred and providing information on criminal offences, emotional support, and resources for parents and safe adults helping youth through these situations.

PREVNet
PREVNet is the first national network in Canada comprised of 130 national research scientists and 62 youth-serving organizations that have come together with a goal to stop bullying. This collective researches bullying and its effects in the country, evaluates its extent, and develops intervention strategies and prevention policies. In addition, PREVNet’s website provides information and resources on bullying for children, teenagers, parents, educators, and pays particular attention to cyberbullying and its legal consequences.

Rehtaeh Parsons Society
The Rehtaeh Parsons Society is a non-profit created in honour of Rehtaeh Parsons after her death. The non-profit focusses on promoting awareness and prevention of cyber-abuse and sexualized violence, and provides individuals who have suffered these abuses emotional support. As part of their hope to provide education on these topics, the organization works with schools, youth groups, first responders, and agencies in hopes of changing policies related to these acts.

Telus WISE
As a telecommunications company, TELUS began the initiative TELUS Wise to help all Canadians become positive digital citizens. This is achieved by providing interactive and informative workshops on various topics including protecting online security, responsible technology use, privacy, and rising above cyberbullying. The workshops include: TELUS Wise for parents trying to navigate parenting in a digital world and social media safety. TELUS Wise footprint to help elementary school students keep a clean digital footprint. TELUS Wise in control for middle school and high school students to discuss cyberbullying, identity theft, and maintaining a positive online reputation. TELUS Wise impact to help middle school and high school students understand cyberbullying and options for appropriate and safe ways to intervene when cruel behaviour is present online. TELUS Wise seniors to help Canadian seniors participate safely in the digital world. TELUS Wise has also created resources with partner agencies on helping kids navigate the digital world, talking about sexting, and digital safety tip sheets.

Through this program TELUS Wise has reached more than 170,000 Canadians.

Events
Within Canada there are several events that take place each year with the goal of putting an end to cyberbullying and providing support to those who have been affected.

Light Up Purple
Beginning in October 2013, the Light Up Purple campaign is an annual event created by the mother of Amanda Todd, Carol Todd, which occurs on October 10th (also known as World Mental Health Day). This campaign centers around lighting monuments the colour purple to honour Todd’s daughter and as a sign of support in continuing the discussion of mental health. Though originating in Canada at Niagara Falls, Light Up Purple has also taken place in other Canadian cities and internationally, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

National School Safety Week
October 17th to 23rd is known as National School Safety Week. The week is held by the Canada Safety Council with the Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network (PREVN), and in addition to bringing attention to students commuting to school and mental health, the council dedicate a day to encouraging guardians, teachers, and students to discuss cyberbullying, how to prevent it, what to do when it happens, and how to help others. The Canada Safety Council brings attention to this issue because while cyberbullying does not happen often on school premises teachers can be a valuable resource for students dealing with cyberbullying, and it is important for parents to understand how to help their children dealing with these issues.

Pink Shirt Day
Pink Shirt Day, also known as Anti-Bullying Day, is a Canadian event hosted by the CKNW Kids' Fund and Boys & Girls Clubs. Running through the month of February, Pink Shirt Day’s goal is to raise awareness about bullying, support anti-bullying programs, and raise funds to support programs that help promote healthy self-esteem in children. While started in Nova Scotia the event has become international, with countries including Japan, New Zealand, China, and Panama organizing anti-bullying fundraisers and over 180 countries sharing support with social media posts and donations.

Criminal Code Offences
As cyberbullying can take on various forms, victims looking to press charges against their perpetrators have several avenues within the Canadian Criminal Code through which they are able to pursue legal action. The choice of offence will be dependent on the type of cyberbullying that took place. The following offences are all crimes in Canada that can be used to prosecute cyberbullying.

Counselling Suicide
Individuals will be found guilty of counselling suicide if they have participated in encouraging another person to commit suicide.

Criminal Harassment
An individual can be found guilty of criminal harassment by participating in several types of conduct. This includes repeatedly communicating with another person or individuals known to them, participating in conduct that is threatening towards another person or their family, and overall, causing a person to reasonably fear that their safety and the safety of those around them is jeopardized.

Defamatory Libel
Individuals can be found guilty of publishing defamatory libel when matter is published that will injure the reputation of another person by exposing them to "hatred, contempt, or ridicule," or when matter is published to insult the person it is speaking of. Libel is only considered published when it is showcased in public, allowed to be read or seen, or when it is shown with the objective for it to be read or seen by the person it defames or any other person.

Incitement of Hatred
Incitement of hatred is a criminal offence that takes place when an individual (or group) produce statements in a public setting that encourage hatred against another group. If this incitement "is likely to lead to a breach of the peace," the perpetrators will be found guilty.

Intimidation
Intimidation is a criminal offence that occurs when an individual uses violence or threats of violence towards another person and threatens injury or punishment to an individual, their family, or their property.

Uttering Threats
The crime of uttering threats is committed when a person "knowingly utters, conveys, or causes" another person to receive a threat of death, bodily harm, or damage to their property.

Federal Legislation
As cyberbullying has garnered more attention, the federal government of Canada has become involved in trying to solve the problem with legislation that hopes to provide additional strategies for tackling the issue.

Bill C-13
Bill C-13 is known as the Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act. The bill was created, in the words of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, because “Our government is committed to ensuring that our children are safe from online predators and from online exploitation. We have an obligation to help put an end to harmful online harassment and exploitation. Cyberbullying goes far beyond schoolyard bullying and, in some cases, can cross the line into criminal activity.”

Introduced in 2013 and passed in 2015, this bill introduced a new offence of non-consensual distribution of intimate images, as well as amendments to allow the removal of these images from the Internet, recovery of costs to remove the images, removal of the property used to distribute the images by the perpetrator, and restriction of their computer use. Additional powers of the bill include power to preserve electronic evidence, extension of a warrant’s power to investigate all means of telecommunications, and new production orders to force the production of data that is related to communication transmissions and "the location of transactions, individuals or things."

Bill C-13 produced amendments to three Canadian Acts through its introduction. The first was to the Canada Evidence Act, where it was ensured that a spouse would be considered a "competent and compellable witness" for prosecuting the non-consensual distribution of images. The second amendment was to the Competition Act, with respect to ensuring demands and orders for preserving computer data and orders for production of communications and financial data. The third was to the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act, which provided Canadian authorities new investigative powers and allowed the Commissioner of Competition to execute search warrants.

Provincial Legislation
The following provinces have introduced and added amendments to legislation to address cyberbullying and provide support for the various groups involved in the process.

Alberta's Education Act
Amendments to Alberta’s Education Act achieved Royal Assent in 2012 that required all students to abstain from, report, and show no tolerance for bullying or bullying behaviours directed towards others in the schools. This law was to be upheld regardless of whether its occurrence was on school premises or not, and whether it occurred during school or electronically. Since 2015, the act has been under review and has yet to be implemented.

New Brunswick's Education Act
New Brunswick’s Education Act was amended in 2012 under Bill 45 and specifically includes cyberbullying under their anti-bullying initiatives, putting emphasis on its "prevention, reporting, investigating, and taking action."

Nova Scotia's Cyber-Safety Act
On April 25, 2013 Nova Scotia enacted the Cyber-Safety Act. This act created a cyber investigative unit for investigations into cases of cyberbullying and a protection order for its victims. The act also created a tort offense against cyberbullying, with the understanding that if the perpetrator of cyberbullying was a minor their parents could be held responsible.

Nova Scotia's Promotion of Respectful and Responsible Relationships Act
Prior to the Cyber-Safety Act, Nova Scotia enacted Bill 30, the Promotion of Respectful and Responsible Relationships Act, on May 17, 2012. This amended the province’s Education Act to define cyberbullying, as well as produce codes of conduct for schools across the province and require monitoring and data collection after an incident is reported.

Ontario's Accepting Schools Act
Ontario’s Accepting Schools Act was implemented on September 1, 2012 as an amendment to their Education Act. These amendments required school boards to create prevention and intervention plans, provide support programs for cyberbullying victims, and establish examples of cyberbullying.