QSA's Week in ICT & Cybersecurity (#19, 2025)
Competition Bureau sets out digital economy priorities; CRTC launches consultation on process participation; NFB interventions at CRTC content definition hearing; Privacy Act annual reports released; Regulatory documents available on CRTC site.
Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning ICT, cloud computing, digital infrastructure, social media platforms, digital privacy, AI, cybersecurity, blockchain, and Web3. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.
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Start Date: 2025-05-11
End Date: 2025-05-19
Top Headlines
Main Stories
Competition Bureau Releases 2025-2026 Annual Plan with Focus on Digital Economy
On May 15, the Competition Bureau published its 2025-2026 Annual Plan, detailing strategies to address economic and technological changes in Canada. The plan positions the Bureau to use expanded legislative powers under recent amendments to the Competition Act, targeting anti-competitive activity with particular attention to digital markets. The Bureau intends to strengthen engagement with both domestic and international stakeholders, and update enforcement tools and expertise in step with evolving technologies.
Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca
CRTC Commences Consultation to Enhance Public Interest Participation in Regulatory Proceedings
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) initiated a public consultation on May 12 focused on simplifying the funding application process for public interest participation in its proceedings. The initiative is part of a wider regulatory modernization plan and a Consumer Protections Action Plan. Participants—ranging from advocates to research organizations—can submit comments until September 9, 2025.
Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca
Annual Reports on Privacy Act Administration Released by Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
The Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities released its annual reports on the administration of the Privacy Act on May 16. These documents summarize departmental practices and compliance with privacy obligations for the reported period. For organizations in the ICT and data-handling sectors, the reports provide insights into federal interpretations and privacy requirements.
Sources: Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca
Provincial Announcements
Alberta Commits $15 Million to Mitacs Internship Program in Technology and Innovation
Alberta's government announced a $15 million, three-year investment in the Mitacs Internship Program to provide students with industry experience in research and development, innovation, and science, including priority growth areas. The funding, combined with federal and industry support, aims to deliver over 3,000 internships through partnerships with 23 post-secondary institutions.
Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca
Public Officials' Social Media
On May 12, Senator Tony Loffreda discussed the National Cyber Security Strategy—raising Auditor General concerns about the RCMP’s limited capacity to address cybercrime, referencing issues around staff recruitment, retention, and compensation in Parliamentary committee proceedings.
Sources: Social Media: x.com
On May 16, Senator Tony Loffreda referenced digital currencies and the need for government and Bank of Canada study, recalling discussions with academics during the Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy’s review of monetary policy.
Sources: Social Media: x.com
What We're Reading This Week
- OPINION: The cybersecurity crisis in healthcare and our failing defenses: Analysis of systemic cybersecurity challenges in the Canadian healthcare sector.
- Cloud Mining: Start Your Digital Asset Investment Journey - Cloud Computing Platform Reshapes Mining Experience: Overview of cloud computing platforms transforming digital asset mining experiences.
