The future of connectivity, platforms, and even digital identity hinges on a core question: who owns the digital infrastructure and spaces we rely on? Is the internet a public good, a private market, or something in between? The answer determines who benefits — and who gets left behind.
Global reach: Multinational corporations connect billions across borders.
Risks: Profit motives can conflict with public needs, leading to high prices, monopolies, and surveillance-driven business models.
The Public Model
Equity & access: Treating the internet as a public utility could guarantee affordable access for all.
Democratic control: Public ownership means decisions can reflect community values.
Challenges: Public systems can suffer from underfunding, political turnover, or lack of agility.
Canadian Context
Telecom oligopoly: Canada’s “big three” control most access, with some of the world’s highest internet and cellphone costs.
Municipal broadband: Cities like Toronto and smaller municipalities have debated (or piloted) public networks.
Indigenous sovereignty: Some First Nations are building and owning their own digital infrastructure.
Global lessons: Countries like Finland and South Korea treat internet as a public right, while the U.S. leans heavily on private industry.
The Middle Ground
Public-private partnerships: Governments fund infrastructure, while companies manage operations.
Community ownership: Co-ops and nonprofits can deliver access outside of profit-first models.
Regulated private ownership: Strong oversight can force private actors to prioritize equity and affordability.
The Bigger Picture
Who owns the digital future is not just a technical or economic question — it’s about power, rights, and democracy. The choice we make will shape whether digital spaces are open commons or gated communities.
The Question
Should Canada treat digital infrastructure like healthcare and education — a public right — or leave ownership in private hands with regulation as the safeguard?
Public vs. Private: Who Owns the Digital Future?
The Stakes of Digital Ownership
The future of connectivity, platforms, and even digital identity hinges on a core question: who owns the digital infrastructure and spaces we rely on? Is the internet a public good, a private market, or something in between? The answer determines who benefits — and who gets left behind.
The Private Model
The Public Model
Canadian Context
The Middle Ground
The Bigger Picture
Who owns the digital future is not just a technical or economic question — it’s about power, rights, and democracy. The choice we make will shape whether digital spaces are open commons or gated communities.
The Question
Should Canada treat digital infrastructure like healthcare and education — a public right — or leave ownership in private hands with regulation as the safeguard?