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: 2025-08-24 to 2025-08-30

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Canadian Federal GR News

FedNor Invests Over $1 Million in Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Initiatives for Northern Ontario

On August 26, the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario announced a $1,050,000 investment in two NORCAT initiatives, with $700,000 allocated to the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative targeting adoption, integration, and commercialization of AI tools among SMEs. These funds will be utilized for capital purchases like servers and cloud infrastructure, targeted training, commercialization, and professional services, directly supporting SMEs to bridge skill and productivity gaps in AI. The remaining $350,000 will support NORCAT’s Innovation Acceleration Program for another three-year term, facilitating expansion through materials, equipment, labour, training, and technical resources. The programs are projected to modernize and expand over 35 SMEs in the region, enhancing sector competitiveness and driving innovation and skill development. This investment positions Northern Ontario companies to capitalize on emerging technologies in artificial intelligence and related fields.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

CRTC Posts Regulatory Updates and Application Deadlines for CBC and CJRO Radio

In its August 30 Canada Gazette, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission announced the posting of applications for renewal or amendment of broadcast undertakings CBH-FM (Halifax, deadline September 17) and CJRO-FM-4 (Casselman, deadline September 19). The Commission also published a decision granting a licence to Chetwynd Communications Society for a low-power community television station in British Columbia. Industry stakeholders have until noted deadlines to submit interventions or comments. These regulatory actions may affect broadcast content rules, licence conditions, and local media operations relevant to the ICT sector.

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

CRTC Announces Ongoing Publication of Decisions and Regulatory Policies

The August 30 Canada Gazette detailed CRTC procedures for examining decisions, regulatory policies, and related proceedings. All original documents, notices, bulletins, and orders are posted on the Commission’s website and available for public review under "Public proceedings & hearings." This informs ICT sector participants of the accessibility and transparency mechanisms for regulatory updates, compliance actions, and ongoing consultations.

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

Statistics Canada Releases Industrial R&D, Energy, and Intellectual Property Expenditure Data for 2023

Statistics Canada published updated data from the Annual Survey of Research and Development in Canadian Industry, referencing actual expenditures for 2023, preliminary estimates for 2024, and intended spend for 2025. The dataset covers R&D, energy, IP, and related costs, offering insights for ICT industry participants into sector benchmarking, government incentives, and investment planning. The data is accessible online for further analysis.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Federal Government Addresses Accidental Deletion of Privacy Provision in Online Streaming Act

On August 29, federal officials stated that a key privacy provision intended for inclusion in the Online Streaming Act was accidentally removed during legislative drafting, as reported by The Globe and Mail. The government confirmed the error and noted the process for correction is underway. ICT and streaming platforms should take note of potential adjustments to compliance requirements as the revision progresses.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.theglobeandmail.com

Media Reports on the Accidental Deletion of Privacy Provision in Streaming Bill

Also on August 29, CTV News covered government acknowledgement of the accidental deletion of a privacy clause in the online streaming bill. The episode draws attention to legislative drafting risks when updating or creating new ICT-related regulations and is relevant for compliance, privacy, and legal teams monitoring changes impacting streaming services and user data protection.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.ctvnews.ca

US Federal GR News

FCC Proposes Deregulatory Options for Network Upgrades, Copper Retirement, and Discontinuance Procedures

On August 28, the Federal Communications Commission published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking targeting a wide range of regulatory relaxations for legacy network retirements and the transition to next-generation networks, including fiber and IP-based services. The FCC is seeking public comment on proposals to remove requirements for incumbent carriers to file network change and copper retirement notices with the Commission, potentially limited to public posting via carriers’ online channels and direct notice to affected providers. The proposed rules would also streamline the Section 214 service discontinuance process, consolidating the Adequate Replacement Test and the Alternative Options Test, and expanding automatic grant of service discontinuance applications to 31 days for all domestic carriers. The docket covers emergency discontinuance, forbearance proposals for lower-speed data telecom services, and planned amendments affecting notification requirements to state Governors and DoD. Commenters are invited to respond by September 29; key changes could affect compliance, service transition timelines, legacy equipment phase-outs, and planning for emergency communications and 911 services.

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

FCC Issues Correction for Rulemaking on Telecommunications Certification Body Security

On August 26, the FCC amended its final rule governing the security and integrity of Telecommunications Certification Bodies, laboratory accreditation bodies, and measurement facilities. Corrections clarify certification and reporting requirements to ensure these entities are not owned or controlled by prohibited parties and must disclose any 5% or greater equity or voting interests. Compliance dates for certain provisions are now delayed indefinitely, while targeted corrections strengthen the regulatory framework for certification and withdrawal of recognition. ICT manufacturers and providers subject to equipment authorization must review these changes for impacts on certification processes and eligibility.

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

FCC Removes Obsolete Encoding and Program Carriage Complaint Regulations in Cable and Multichannel Video Rules

On August 26, the FCC Media Bureau published a final rule eliminating several legacy regulations under 47 CFR Part 76. These deletions—spanning approximately 14 pages and 43 rules—reflect court decisions vacating program carriage complaint standstill procedures and encoding rules for cable and satellite operators. The action updates compliance expectations, decreases regulatory burden for affected video service providers, and eliminates obsolete licensing and encoding requirements no longer enforced due to court rulings.

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

Department of Commerce Requests Comments on National Security & Critical Technology Assessments Data Collection

On August 28, the Bureau of Industry and Security issued a notice for public comment on an extended information collection, seeking industry data on employment, supply chains, production, R&D, and export controls within critical technology sectors. The survey targets approximately 28,000 respondents, with an average burden of 11 hours each, supporting research for DoD, DHS, NASA, and related agencies. Data will be used for benchmarking, policy analysis, and addressing diminished manufacturing capacities, including components and capabilities relevant to the ICT and electronics industry. Comments are due within 30 days.

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

NTIA Announces 2025 Spectrum Policy Symposium on Federal Implementation and Wireless Industry Priorities

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration will host its annual Spectrum Policy Symposium on September 10 in Washington, D.C., featuring federal policy announcements, implementation plans for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and panels including White House officials, FCC representatives, and wireless industry participants. The event, webcast via NTIA’s website, will address near-term federal spectrum management initiatives affecting wireless and satellite industries, providing a platform for stakeholders to monitor administrative direction and public policy developments.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

Alberta Introduces Levy Framework and New Classification for Large AI Data Centres

On August 27, Alberta announced a levy framework for grid-connected AI data centres at 75MW or greater, establishing a 2% levy on computer hardware, fully offset against provincial corporate income taxes, and formal designation of sites as industrial properties for consistent assessment. The announcement follows industry consultations and includes options for cost stability and local property tax incentives.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Shadow AI: How your employees may have opened the door to the newest cybercrime: Evaluates cybersecurity risks stemming from unauthorized use of generative AI in corporate settings.
• Why 'least privilege' is Canada's best defence: Analyzes evolving access control strategies in Canadian digital infrastructure.
• Businesses put at risk when employees use unauthorized AI tools at work: Details organizational exposure to risk when staff utilize unapproved AI solutions.
• Businesses put at risk when employees use unauthorized AI tools at work: Summarizes challenges faced by cyber teams as employees bypass policy with third-party AI applications.
• Your rights online: Privacy commissioner finds Canadians can have some things delisted: Reports on new regulatory perspectives on Canadians’ ability to delist content from search engines.
• Opinion: Who watches those who watch our payments? The growing power of credit card giants: Discusses market concentration and data control in merchant-payment services.

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