Tech sector eyes procurement as way to stimulate business
As Canada’s tech sector grapples with the fallout of COVID-19, more nimble federal procurement practices are being eyed as a lever to stimulate the sector’s recovery, particularly among small- and medium-sized businesses, and to drive innovation in the public and private sectors. The market Documents released to the House Standing Committee on Government Operations and […]
Acceleration of digital economy is central to Canada’s future
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused financial hardship for nations around the world, and despite quick actions by all orders of government to assist businesses, families, and individuals, Canada is no exception. Our economy is in recession, unemployment rates have touched record highs, and the federal government’s finances are under such strain that the national public […]
Successful U.A.E. launch of mission to Mars a symbol of hope when needed the most
With the world dealing with a global pandemic—and being faced with life and death issues like never before, the July 19 historic launch of the United Arab Emirates’ (U.A.E.) Hope Mission to Mars truly serves as a beacon of hope for all. The unmanned probe soared from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan, headed on […]
Geopolitics, not national security, to be guiding factor in Huawei decision, say experts
As Canada is stuck between two feuding superpowers, its looming decision on whether to grant Huawei access to provide Canadian 5G equipment is no longer a decision that can be made chiefly based on domestic interests, say experts. The Canadian government is expected to restrict Huawei from its 5G network, as the U.S. has placed […]
Lack of privacy oversight could hurt buy-in for COVID contact-tracing app, say critics
As a new national app to help trace the contacts of those who have tested positive for COVID-19 prepares for a test rollout in Ontario, opposition MPs say it hasn’t been sufficiently scrutinized by the federal and provincial privacy commissioners and that Canada’s privacy laws don’t provide enough protection for users, which could lead to […]
It’s easy to see why U.S. Big Tech sees Canada as a happy hunting ground
TORONTO—Investment Canada boasts that “it continues to play an important role in encouraging investments from global companies.” But is this mission out of date? Much foreign investment in Canada today consists of Big Tech firms acquiring Canadian tech companies for their patents and other intellectual property and access to their talent, or in establishing R&D […]
Federal, provincial watchdogs still waiting for full privacy assessment on national contact-tracing app
The federal privacy commissioner says Health Canada only submitted documentation on the new voluntary national contact-tracing app to its office last Friday, June 19—a day after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the new app is set to roll out in Ontario on July 2. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner […]
Second wave of virus could cut GDP by nearly 10 per cent, experts looks to future of relief programs
A recent Léger poll suggests the public is picking up on what public health officials have been warning for months: a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is possible, even likely, if existing preventative measures aren’t kept in place. Fear of a second wave is widespread, with 76 per cent of respondents to the poll […]
Wind and solar groups unite in new national renewable energy association ‘during this period of historical global transformation’
As the coronavirus restrictions continue to ease across the country, a new national renewable energy association is getting ready to push to ensure “renewable energy and energy storage play a central role in transforming Canada’s energy mix during this period of historical global transformation,” reads a press release from the Canadian Renewable Energy Association. On […]
We need a different kind of industrial strategy
TORONTO—Think of all the tradable goods and services we produce across Canada— from canola oil and Canada Goose parkas, to tourism and Shopify’s e-commerce platform—as Canada’s export catalogue. That’s what we are offering to sell to the rest of the world—and the success of our catalogue determines how well we do as Canadians. Whether people […]
