Just like in Blackboard, Canvas gives you access to a discussion tool. You may conduct course-level asynchronous communication with your students. Just a few ideas are peer evaluation, case studies, and building relationships with their peers. Graded or ungraded, they are a great tool for you and your students to connect offline. Students have access to the same Rich Content Editor that you do, so it is a great option for more than just a text discussion.
Instructure Instructor Guide: Discussions (Instructure Community)