Canada is at a pivotal stage in shaping its tech policy. From AI regulation to online safety bills, from broadband access to digital rights, decisions made today will determine whether our digital future is open, equitable, and innovative — or fragmented, costly, and restrictive.
The Current Landscape
High costs, low competition: Canada remains among the most expensive countries for internet and mobile access.
Online regulation debates: Bills like C-11 (streaming) and C-18 (news bargaining) highlight the tension between cultural protection and digital freedom.
Privacy reform lag: Canada’s privacy laws trail the EU’s GDPR in scope and enforcement.
AI on the horizon: Ottawa is drafting rules for artificial intelligence, balancing innovation with safeguards.
Emerging Trends
Digital sovereignty: Calls are growing for Canada to ensure data and infrastructure are controlled domestically.
Green tech transition: Policy is slowly linking digital innovation with climate goals.
Cybersecurity: Rising threats are pushing security higher on the policy agenda.
Citizen engagement: Demands for more transparent, participatory policymaking are gaining traction.
The Challenges
Fragmentation: Federal, provincial, and municipal policies often clash or overlap.
Lobbyist influence: Corporate players have disproportionate sway in shaping the rules.
Global dependency: Canada imports much of its digital infrastructure and platforms from abroad.
Trust gaps: Public skepticism grows when digital policy feels reactive or corporate-driven.
The Opportunities
Universal access: Making internet access a right, not a privilege.
Leadership in fairness: Positioning Canada as a leader in ethical AI and digital rights.
Innovation ecosystems: Supporting Canadian startups and Indigenous digital initiatives.
Participatory governance: Bringing citizens into consultations in real, not token, ways.
The Bigger Picture
Tech policy isn’t just about regulating gadgets or apps — it’s about defining the rules of the digital society we want to live in. Canada can either drift along with global trends or chart a bold, citizen-first course.
The Question
Where do you think Canada should place its bets in digital policy: affordability and access, privacy and rights, or innovation and global competitiveness?
Tech Policy in Canada: Where Are We Headed?
The Crossroads Moment
Canada is at a pivotal stage in shaping its tech policy. From AI regulation to online safety bills, from broadband access to digital rights, decisions made today will determine whether our digital future is open, equitable, and innovative — or fragmented, costly, and restrictive.
The Current Landscape
Emerging Trends
The Challenges
The Opportunities
The Bigger Picture
Tech policy isn’t just about regulating gadgets or apps — it’s about defining the rules of the digital society we want to live in. Canada can either drift along with global trends or chart a bold, citizen-first course.
The Question
Where do you think Canada should place its bets in digital policy: affordability and access, privacy and rights, or innovation and global competitiveness?