This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning ICT, cloud computing, digital infrastructure, social media platforms, digital privacy, AI, cybersecurity, blockchain, Web3 and cryptocurrencies. Once a week, 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 and Defence. Also consider subscribing to our ICT & Cybersecurity - Washington edition covering critical GR news south of the border.

Dates: 2026-03-15 to 2026-03-21

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Parliamentary Calendar
• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• HOC Industry and Technology Committee to hold AI regulation hearing: The House Industry and Technology Committee will meet March 23 to discuss AI opportunities, risks, and regulation in strategic industries, featuring witnesses Yoshua Bengio, Colin J. Bennett, Michael Geist, Dr. Carys Craig, Wendy Cukier, and Ali Dehghantanha.
• Senate Transport and Communications to examine AI in ICT: On March 24, the Senate Committee on Transport and Communications will review opportunities and challenges of AI in ICT, with testimony from Viet Vu (The Dais) and Dana Cramer (Young Digital Leaders of Canada).
• Senate National Finance Committee considers Bill C-15: Also on March 24, the National Finance Committee holds clause-by-clause review of Bill C-15 (Budget Implementation Act, 2025), with officials from RCMP, ISED, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and Public Services and Procurement Canada.
• Senate Social Affairs Committee to study impact of AI: On March 25, the Senate Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee will examine the impact of AI in Canada, featuring presentations by Glenda Crisp (Vector Institute), Jason Lewis (Abundant Intelligences), and Gideon Christian (University of Calgary).

Federal Government News

CRTC launches Indigenous stream of Broadband Fund to increase connectivity

On March 18, the CRTC announced a dedicated Indigenous stream for its Broadband Fund, establishing a tailored process for Indigenous communities applying for high-speed Internet and cellphone service funding. The initiative, drawn from extensive engagement with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis groups, aims to make applications more accessible, streamline reporting requirements, and address unique cost barriers. Prior changes included offering upfront funding to Indigenous-led projects and improving community engagement standards. A draft proposal for the Indigenous stream will be released for comment before finalization, and the CRTC continues to invite input via standard and oral submission channels. The new stream builds on an earlier policy review that began in March 2023, following feedback on administrative burdens and barriers faced by Indigenous applicants. Once in effect, the process is intended to enable broader access and participation in telecom infrastructure deployment across Indigenous communities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

NRC allocates $900 million for quantum and defence technology

The National Research Council will invest over $900 million in defence innovation, with a significant portion supporting the long-term development and commercialization of quantum technologies. Announced on March 19 in Waterloo by Minister David J. McGuinty, this investment forms part of Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy and is intended to bolster domestic defence industry capacity and dual-use tech. The focus of the fund includes advancements in quantum computing for cryptography and materials simulation, quantum communications for secure and resilient information transfer, and quantum sensors for battlefield awareness. These efforts will support the modernization of the Canadian Armed Forces, drive technology commercialization, and reinforce national security capabilities by advancing domestic R&D and manufacturing in quantum and related sectors.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada convenes first national summit on Artificial Intelligence and culture

From March 15–17, the inaugural National Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Culture brought together Canadian leaders from technology, culture, and government in Banff to shape policy responses to AI’s impact on the creative sector. The summit, featuring contributions from cultural organizations, academics, and practitioners, will inform the evolution of Canada’s AI strategy. As an outcome, the Government will establish an AI and Culture Advisory Council led by Ministers Marc Miller and Evan Solomon, intended as an ongoing venue for industry and policymakers to address AI-related opportunities and risks in cultural industries. The summit involved AI showcases and sector-specific advisory services, with further collaboration planned to steer AI adoption toward Canadian cultural objectives, including engagement with international bodies on diversity in AI.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan releases Q4 2025 telecommunications services producer price indexes

Statistics Canada published the latest telecommunications services producer price indexes for the fourth quarter of 2025. The index (with Q1 2020 = 100 as baseline) is available on request and provides industry participants with inflation-adjusted benchmarks for telecommunications service costs. The release is intended to support pricing analysis, contract adjustment, and regulatory monitoring for providers and industry analysts.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Experimental data on higher education IP commercialization released

Statistics Canada has published experimental estimates from its 2023 Survey on Research Activities and Commercialization of Intellectual Property in Higher Education. The dataset covers R&D output, technology transfer activity, IP management, and obstacles to commercialization faced by Canadian universities. This release provides stakeholders with new data regarding trends in technology transfer and commercialization within the academic sector, supporting market research and partnership development in ICT and other advanced sectors.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Regional Defence Investment Initiative funds Atlantic ICT and defence firms

On March 16, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency announced over $3.2 million in federal funding for three Dartmouth-based businesses under the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) and Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI). Recipients include MilAero Electronics Atlantic Inc., GSTS, and Survival Systems Limited, each benefiting from repayable and non-repayable funding for equipment, digital tools, and workforce expansion. Projects include facility expansion, software rollout, supply chain management upgrades, AI maritime tracking development, and the establishment of an onsite training academy. These investments aim to drive innovation in Atlantic Canada’s aerospace, AI, and digital defence segments, with emphasis on boosting production, resilience, and readiness for global defence market opportunities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Proposed digital access law seeks to balance privacy and police powers

Canada’s public safety minister signaled that the proposed digital access law is designed to balance individual privacy rights with law enforcement access, according to a March 19 media report. The bill, which addresses the intersection of digital evidence and regulatory oversight, could affect ICT firms providing data storage and digital services by setting new standards for cooperation with public safety agencies.

Sources: www.thestar.com

US legislative action on Canada’s Online Streaming Act

A US congressman introduced a bill targeting Canada’s Online Streaming Act on March 20, responding to cross-border regulatory concerns about streaming platforms. While details of the proposed legislation are US-based, the action signals increased scrutiny of Canadian media and digital policy by American lawmakers, which could have secondary implications for streaming services operating in Canada.

Sources: www.ctvnews.ca

Escalating costs for federal IT modernization project

Multiple media reports on March 19 documented that a major federal IT project’s cost has surged to as much as $6.6 billion. The figures reflect ongoing challenges in implementing large-scale ICT upgrades in the federal sector, with the budget increase likely to impact procurement cycles, vendor contracting, and related infrastructure projects across government agencies.

Sources: www.thestar.com

Provincial Government News

Quebec promotes AI sector and digital sovereignty at Excellence Quebec Meetings

On March 17 in Paris, 11 Quebec firms participated in the Excellence Quebec Meetings, showcasing AI, cybersecurity, and digital solutions. The event promoted cross-border partnerships and digital sovereignty initiatives between Quebec and France.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Manitoba moves to ban algorithmic price discrimination in retail

Manitoba introduced amendments to the Business Practices Act, aiming to prohibit retailers from using consumers’ personal data to determine individualized pricing in physical and online stores.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

BC raises damages cap for intimate-image abuse cases

British Columbia enacted amendments raising compensation for victims of intimate-image abuse to $75,000 under the Intimate Images Protection Act, and added privacy and legal process refinements for tribunal proceedings.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario invests $5 million in local emergency preparedness

On March 20, Ontario allocated $5 million to the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant, supporting over 100 communities with equipment and training, including investments in telecommunications and satellite communications.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Québec budget allocates over $1.7 billion for economic transformation and innovation

Québec’s 2026–2027 budget provides $1.7 billion over five years for economic projects, research, innovation, and digital technologies, including $500 million in loan guarantees for Indigenous community participation and increased AI support.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• U.S. congressman introduces bill targeting Online Streaming Act: U.S. legislative efforts seek to address cross-border impacts of Canadian streaming regulations.
• Cost of federal IT project explodes to up to $6.6 billion: Analysis of cost overruns in Canada’s large-scale digital infrastructure projects.
• Brazil rolls out law boosting online protection of minors: Brazil introduces new legal safeguards for children’s online activities.
• The $308B Security Pivot: Reshaping Digital Safety for the Quantum Age: Forecasts on the allocation of security spending in response to quantum threats.

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