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.

Want to track other GR news in adjacent industries? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Finance.

Dates: 2025-07-13 to 2025-07-19

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Canadian Federal GR News

Competition Bureau Backs Broadband ‘Nutrition Label’ at CRTC Consultation

At a Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) public hearing in Gatineau on June 13, Brad Callaghan, Associate Deputy Commissioner for the Competition Bureau, outlined the Bureau’s recommendations for the adoption of a standardized 'nutrition label' format for home Internet and wireless services. The label would present all-in pricing, service characteristics, and performance information, aligning with Canadian drip pricing regulations. The Bureau’s submission draws on behavioral science research, suggesting such labels reduce consumer barriers to switching by delivering plan information in a readily accessible, recognizable format. The Bureau also advocated for these labels to extend to wireless phone services to harmonize consumer information. Recommendations include requiring the label to accompany expiring contracts’ notices. The Bureau cited the U.S. FCC's experience as a model for regulatory development and asserted that enhancing information accessibility could alter market dynamics and competitive behavior.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

CRTC Launches Consultation on Canada’s National Public Alerting System

On July 15, the CRTC initiated a public consultation focused on reforms to the National Public Alerting System (NPAS), which delivers emergency warnings nationwide via broadcasters and telecom service providers. The review will consider accessibility improvements, potential expansion of language options reflecting local community needs, and distribution reach, with comments accepted until October 14, 2025. The outcome may inform regulatory or technical changes affecting alert distribution mandates for telecom and broadcasting service providers.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada and Australia Finalize Partnership for Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar System

On June 20, Canada and Australia formalized a technology partnership to accelerate delivery of Canada’s Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) system, part of the ongoing NORAD modernization strategy. According to National Defence, Australian industry partners will collaborate with Canadian companies to expand technical capacity and speed deployment, targeting initial operational capability by end of 2029. The radar is expected to bolster Canada’s long-range detection for continental aerospace defense; industry participants are positioned to gain from procurement, systems integration, and subsequent data/infrastructure management contracts.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada and Northwest Territories Pilot AI-Based Geoscience Core Scanning for Critical Minerals

On July 14, Natural Resources Canada announced a joint initiative with the Government of the Northwest Territories to pilot artificial intelligence-driven scanning and analysis of historical drill cores from the Slave Geological Province. The data will be managed on a centralized digital platform to facilitate industry re-evaluation and targeted exploration, with particular emphasis on lithium, copper, cobalt, and rare earth elements. The program is intended to reduce resource exploration risk and establish a foundation for a Canadian Digital Core Library, increasing data standardization and sector access to historical exploration records.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Issues Joint Statement Condemning Russian Cyber Operations

On July 18, Canada’s Ministers for Foreign Affairs, National Defence, and Public Safety jointly condemned Russia’s malicious cyber activities targeting the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and allied countries. The statement traced a multi-year campaign of politically motivated cyber-attacks, referencing previous incidents targeting satellite internet services, banking, and COVID-19 vaccine R&D operations. Federal authorities advised critical infrastructure organizations to review cybersecurity guidance in response to heightened threats, referencing updates provided by cyber.gc.ca.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canadian International Trade Tribunal Opens Inquiry into RCMP Security Services Procurement

On July 9, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal launched an inquiry into a complaint filed by the British Columbia Corps of Commissionaires regarding a Department of Public Works and Government Services contract with the RCMP for scene security and emergent event services. The complainant alleged improper solicitation advertising and notification practices. The outcome of the inquiry could influence federal procurement procedures for private security and investigation service providers.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

World Youth Skills Day: Federal Digital Skills Investments for Youth Workforce Development

On July 15, Secretary of State (Children and Youth) Anna Gainey underscored ongoing digital skills initiatives, including federally-supported work placements through the Information and Communications Technology Council and Technation, and the Canada Summer Jobs program. These programs are designed to build youth participation in fields such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital health, offering hands-on experience in high-demand roles. Employers in ICT sectors can expect continued federal support for talent development pipelines tied to digital and technical skillsets.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

FCC Proposes Expanding Bans on Foreign Adversary-Controlled Telecom Test Labs

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ET Docket No. 24-136) on July 16 to expand prohibitions on telecommunications certification bodies (TCBs), test labs, and laboratory accreditation bodies that are owned, controlled, or directed by 'foreign adversaries.' The proposal includes extending prohibitions to entities subject to the jurisdiction of such countries, regardless of physical location, and applying new restrictions based on lists such as the OFAC SDN list and PFACA-defined entities. The rule seeks comment on impacts to supply chains, cost, national security, and the replacement of labs in China with alternatives. Feedback regarding implementation and economic effects remains open until August 15, 2025, with reply comments due September 15. The changes could prompt industry realignment of third-party testing relationships and lab certifications.

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

GENIUS Act Signed, Establishes Federal Stablecoin Regulatory Framework

President Donald J. Trump enacted the GENIUS Act on July 18, creating the first U.S. federal framework for stablecoins. The law mandates 100% reserve backing, requires public disclosures, restricts marketing, and grants priority to stablecoin holders’ claims in insolvency. The legislation also aligns State and Federal rules, imposes anti-money laundering and Bank Secrecy Act compliance on issuers, and strengthens the Treasury’s enforcement capabilities. The Act is designed to reinforce the U.S. dollar’s position as the world’s reserve currency and expands oversight of digital asset markets, with immediate implications for fintech, payment processors, and regulated financial intermediaries.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

Trump Administration Announces $92 Billion in AI/Data Center/Energy Investments

During a Pennsylvania summit, President Trump announced $92 billion in new investments focused on artificial intelligence, energy infrastructure, and advanced grid technology. Investment commitments include $25 billion each from Google (data centers) and Blackstone (data centers and natural gas plants), $15 billion from FirstEnergy (grid upgrades), $6 billion from CoreWeave (data center expansion), and new nuclear sector activity by Westinghouse. Senior executives highlighted anticipated benefits for energy security and AI infrastructure; the move is accompanied by White House messaging regarding U.S. technology sector leadership.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

CISA Initiates Large-Scale Feedback Collection for National Security and Emergency Communications

On July 18, the Department of Homeland Security’s CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) launched a public comment period to support qualitative feedback collection for national security and emergency preparedness communications. The information request targets up to 10 million respondents, including industry and governmental users, and aims to guide improvements to emergency response and communications infrastructure. The program will help inform policy and operational approaches to maintaining and upgrading interoperable emergency communications, relevant to telecom and ICT platform providers.

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

USTR Opens Section 301 Investigation into Brazil’s Digital Trade, Data Localization, and IP Practices

On July 15, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative launched a Section 301 investigation into multiple Brazilian practices, focusing on digital trade, data localization, and electronic payment policies. The probe will examine Brazil's data transfer rules, market access impediments for U.S. ICT companies, court actions against U.S. digital platforms, discriminatory tariffs, anti-corruption enforcement, IP protection, and market access for U.S. agri-tech and ethanol. The investigation’s outcomes could impact cross-border data flows, market entry strategies, and compliance burdens for ICT, fintech, and digital service exporters.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

Ontario Invests $7.5 Million to Support Business Digitalization

Ontario announced $7.5 million in funding for the Digitalization Competence Centre to assist small and medium businesses adopting digital solutions—including online payments, CRM, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence—with up to $115,000 in grants per business.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Manitoba Expands Electronic Offender Monitoring

The Manitoba government is increasing investment in its electronic monitoring program, supporting the addition of 100 new ankle monitors for offender tracking, and planning curfew monitoring software leveraging biometric identification.

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

Saskatchewan Issues RFP for Tech Park Master Plans, Focuses on ICT and Critical Minerals

Innovation Saskatchewan released a Request for Proposal for the development of long-term master plans for research and technology parks in Regina and Saskatoon, with components devoted to information and communications technology, digital infrastructure, and critical minerals.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Government Consultations

CRTC Opens Consultation on Improving the National Public Alerting System

Starting July 15, the CRTC invites public input on proposed improvements to the National Public Alerting System, focusing on alert delivery, accessibility, and language coverage. The consultation runs to October 14, 2025.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: crtc.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Network Security Market Future Growth, Latest Technologies, Business Scenario, Key Segments and Forecast to 2029: Market outlook on trends and technologies in the network security sector.
• CyberArk Announces Availability of Tools to Secure AI Agents in the New AWS Marketplace AI Agents and Tools Category: CyberArk releases solutions aimed at AI agent security within AWS Marketplace.
• SIM Mining Smart Cloud Mining: The Best Choice for Cryptocurrency Investors: Discussion on smart cloud-based mining opportunities for digital asset investors.
• Ottawa weighing plans on AI and copyright as OpenAI fights Ontario court jurisdiction: Legal debate over artificial intelligence, copyright law, and court authority in Canada.
• Opinion: Canada must sanction the Chinese tech companies fuelling the horrors in Ukraine: Argument on sanctions targeting Chinese technology providers linked to Ukraine conflict.
• The Investor’s Guide to Artificial Intelligence: Investor briefing on artificial intelligence trends, risks, and potential returns.
• Tech that “milks the clouds”: Feature on innovations leveraging cloud computing for business transformation.

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