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.

Dates: 2025-06-08 to 2025-06-14

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📱 Public Officials' Social Media
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

CRTC Confirms Expanded Eligibility for Independent Local News Funding

On June 9, 2025, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) finalized eligibility criteria for independent television broadcasters to receive support from the Independent Local News Fund (ILNF) as part of its phased implementation of the modernized Broadcasting Act. The decision affirms that Corus Entertainment’s 15 Global stations now qualify for funding. Recipients of ILNF funds are required to distribute their local news content online, expanding access and reach. The CRTC has received input from a range of stakeholders through a public consultation process and continues to pursue a regulatory plan that includes 15 active consultations related to broadcasting modernization. Actions to date are part of the CRTC’s mandate to update Canada’s broadcasting framework and ensure online streaming services contribute to Canadian and Indigenous content. The decision is accompanied by a new regulatory policy and notice of consultation, with further hearings scheduled through the fall.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

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Minister Solomon Announces Quebec AI Infrastructure Investment Following VivaTech 2025

Minister Evan Solomon concluded Canada’s Country of the Year delegation to VivaTech 2025 in Paris, highlighting the announcement of Hypertec’s $5 billion sovereign AI infrastructure initiative in Europe. The project will see the deployment of nearly 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs in France, Italy, Portugal, and the UK, with a $250 million investment earmarked for new server facilities in Quebec, projected to create over 100 AI-focused jobs. Solomon’s meetings with French, Luxembourg, and UAE officials centered on collaborations in R&D, commercialization, and compute infrastructure. The expanded Canadian presence at VivaTech was organized by Scale AI and showcased companies such as Airudi, CGI, Cohere, IVADO Labs, and others. Discussions with NVIDIA’s Jay Puri and political leaders addressed scaling Canadian AI capabilities, trust in the digital economy, and digital sovereignty.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Senate Discusses AI Regulation and Privacy Law Exemptions in Bill C-4

During the June 11 Senate sitting, Hon. Paulette Senior referenced the 2025 G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council’s recommendations concerning AI, with Senators raising questions about proactive governance and Canada’s role in establishing global standards. Senator Krista Ross questioned privacy law exemptions contained in Bill C-4, specifically regarding the retroactive shielding of federal political parties from privacy laws. Broader issues discussed included Indigenous entrepreneurship, youth development, transparency, and parliamentary appointments. The text signals an ongoing focus in the Senate on the regulatory landscape for artificial intelligence and privacy in Canada.

Sources: Transcripts: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

US Federal GR News

President Trump made good on this promise by directing the Bureau of Industry and Security to scrap President Joe Biden's Framework for Artificial Intelligence Diffusion on May 13, two days before it was set to go into effect.

Anthropic CEO Amodei argues that Republican proposals to block states from regulating AI for the next 10 years was too blunt. Amodei instead called for the White House and Congress to work together on a transparency standard for AI companies at a federal level, so that emerging risks are made clear to the people.

President Issues Sweeping Executive Order on Cybersecurity and AI Security Practices

On June 6, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14306, introducing additional measures to strengthen US cybersecurity policy and amending previous executive orders. The order directs the Department of Commerce, via NIST, to create a public-private consortium for secure software development guidance by August 1, update security controls for software deployment by September 2, and publish a preliminary revision to the Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF) by December 1. Federal agencies must prepare for post-quantum cryptography, with new requirements for TLS 1.3 or successor protocols by January 2, 2030. The order mandates that AI software vulnerabilities be incorporated into federal vulnerability management programs and requires the release of cyber defense datasets for research by November 1. Agencies are also tasked to align procurement policies to require Cyber Trust Mark labeling for consumer IoT products by 2027 and to pilot machine-readable policy programs. Exemptions exist for certain national security systems.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Micron Announces $200 Billion Domestic Chip Expansion

Micron Technology unveiled a $200 billion investment to expand US semiconductor manufacturing, including a new fabrication facility in Boise, Idaho, and modernization of the Manassas, Virginia, plant. This initiative will repatriate advanced DRAM production from Taiwan and is expected to create approximately 90,000 jobs. The announcement coincides with broader efforts by the administration to accelerate domestic technology leadership in artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing. The move follows similar commitments from major technology firms to increase US-based production.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

FCC Announces New Data Matching Program for Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Eligibility

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the launch of a new computer matching program with the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). The program, effective July 10, will verify eligibility for the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program by matching applicant data with state SNAP and Medicaid records. The process aims to streamline verification for discounted broadband and voice services for low-income households and reduce compliance burdens for service providers. The program is authorized under 47 U.S.C. 1752 and 254.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

USITC Terminates Investigation into Cellular Base Station Equipment Following Patent Settlement

The US International Trade Commission (USITC) has terminated Investigation No. 337-TA-1388 regarding cellular base station communication equipment. The original complaint, filed by Motorola Mobility LLC, alleged patent infringement by Ericsson entities. The investigation was concluded on June 5, 2025, after Motorola and Ericsson reached a patent license agreement and jointly moved to terminate the proceeding. No petitions for review were filed, and the Commission’s decision is based on Section 337 of the Tariff Act.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

NIST Announces Upcoming Information Security and Privacy Advisory Board Meeting

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will hold a public meeting of its Information Security and Privacy Advisory Board (ISPAB) on July 16–17, 2025. Agenda items include updates on digital ledger technologies, post-quantum cryptographic guidance, the DoD's Software Fast Track initiative, and ongoing work in computer and applied security divisions. The meeting, to be held virtually, will allow public participation and written submissions regarding information security and privacy issues relevant to federal agencies.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

Alberta Implements Protection of Privacy Act with New Regulations

Alberta’s Protection of Privacy Act came into full effect on June 11, 2025, introducing the country’s strictest penalties for privacy violations and requiring public bodies to establish comprehensive privacy management programs by spring 2026.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Alberta Orders in Council Address Privacy, Access to Information, and Red Tape Reduction

On June 11, Alberta’s government issued multiple orders in council, including new regulations under the Protection of Privacy Act and Access to Information Act, as well as amendments impacting emergency management, education, and environmental protection.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Manitoba Allocates $18.5 Million to Research Manitoba for AI and Technology R&D

Manitoba is investing an additional $5 million in Research Manitoba to support research in artificial intelligence, information technology, and data analytics, with oversight moved to the Department of Innovation and New Technology.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.mb.ca

Alberta Forms India Advisory Committee to Expand Trade Ties

Alberta established its first India Advisory Committee on June 13 to strengthen economic corridors and trade in sectors including technology, with quarterly meetings planned to advise on bilateral opportunities.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Government Consultations

Public Officials' Social Media

On June 11, Senator Krista Ross questioned the government’s decision to include a 25-year retroactive exemption for federal political parties from privacy law in Bill C-4 via social media.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Jenny Kwan stated on June 12 that the current draft of a federal privacy bill could permit disclosure of personal information without consent.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Krista Ross, on June 8, referenced an article by Beauceron Security’s CEO regarding vulnerabilities in food supply cybersecurity.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Tony Loffreda posted on June 9 about Canada’s 2025–26 defence budget, which includes $560 million for digital and cyber defence enhancements.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Zero Trust Security Reduces Cyber Insurance Claims, Preventing up to $465 Billion Annually in Global Economic Loss from Cyber Attacks: New research examines the impact of zero trust security on reducing global economic losses from cyber attacks.
• DIGITAL continues investments in workforce development solutions and AI adoption training for 3,000 Canadians: A major digital workforce initiative targets AI training for thousands of Canadians.
• Opinion: Just as Ottawa makes headway on streaming regulation, Quebec throws in a monkey wrench: Commentary on jurisdictional challenges as federal streaming regulations progress.