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: 2026-03-29 to 2026-04-04

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Government of Canada launches review of the Privacy Act

On April 2, 2026, the Honourable Shafqat Ali, President of the Treasury Board, initiated a comprehensive review of the Privacy Act, which governs personal data handling across over 250 federal institutions. The review proposes modernizing data-sharing protocols, enhancing service delivery, and updating privacy principles with clearer definitions in alignment with international standards. The modernization efforts aim to establish designated official sources for key data to reduce duplication and streamline accuracy. Public comments on the official policy paper are open via an online form until July 10, 2026, with further consultations scheduled involving government institutions and subject matter experts. Findings will be published in winter 2026-27.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada expands high-speed Internet access in Nunavut

The Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development, announced over $86 million in federal funding on April 2, 2026, for Northwestel to provide unlimited high-speed Internet to 11,650 homes across all 25 communities in Nunavut. The investment is part of the Universal Broadband Fund and includes a partnership with Telesat to utilize the Lightspeed low Earth orbit satellite constellation, following a $600 million agreement to secure next-generation Internet capacity for challenging rural and remote areas. This project contributes to the government's commitment to Arctic sovereignty and improved connectivity for northern Indigenous communities, targeting universal high-speed Internet access by 2030.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government of Canada advances digital sovereignty and secure communications through contract extension with BlackBerry

Shared Services Canada, through Parliamentary Secretary Jenna Sudds, announced a contract extension with BlackBerry on March 31, 2026, to expand the deployment of BlackBerry SecuSUITE, an encrypted communications platform, throughout the federal government until 2033. The initiative supports the Buy Canadian Policy, enhancing secure voice, messaging, and file-sharing for government users with data managed inside Canadian federal data centres. Provinces and territories may adopt the contract terms to establish consistent secure communications standards, aiming to reinforce the nation's cyber security infrastructure and strict control over sensitive information.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CRTC speech at CanWISP Annual Conference outlines evolving telecom landscape and upcoming consultations

On March 31, 2026, Bram Abramson, Ontario Commissioner for the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, addressed the CanWISP Annual Conference in Markham, noting a shifting competitive environment among independent ISPs, large incumbents, and new entrants including low-Earth orbit satellite providers. Abramson discussed ongoing consultations, such as an Indigenous-specific stream for the Broadband Fund, recent decisions around telecom pole access and outage reporting, and regulatory red tape reduction measures. The Commission plans a proceeding to consolidate four consumer protection codes into a single unified code for Internet, wireless, television, and deposit/disconnection services. The details and timeline of the consultation will be announced later in spring.

Sources: www.canada.ca

PacifiCan invests $13.8 million to advance defence innovation in AI and aerospace in British Columbia

On March 31, 2026, Will Greaves, MP for Victoria, speaking on behalf of Minister Gregor Robertson, unveiled $13.8 million in funding for five projects under PacifiCan's Regional Defence Investment Initiative. Supported entities include the University of Victoria's Centre for Aerospace Research ($4 million), Arcane Aerospace (over $3 million), Atreides ($2.4 million), OSI Maritime Systems ($2.8 million), and UVic's Advanced Control and Intelligent Systems Lab ($1.4 million). Projects focus on satellite ground stations, AI-powered drone systems, next-generation satellite technology, autonomous navigation software, and real-time intelligence platforms for unmanned systems, strengthening the province’s position in defence, aerospace, and AI.

Sources: www.canada.ca

FedDev Ontario invests $14.5 million in aerospace and satellite telecommunications

On April 1, 2026, Minister Evan Solomon announced FedDev Ontario’s combined investments in Kepler Communications Inc. ($7 million) and Dishon Limited ($7.5 million) to bolster Canadian defence, space, and manufacturing capabilities. Kepler will advance its Tranche 1 engineering for secure satellite communications, focusing on Arctic connectivity, customer trials, and readiness for Defence Enhanced Surveillance from Space initiatives. Dishon Limited’s expansion in Vaughan enables production scaling for high-precision aerospace components, responding to increased demand from military and commercial aerospace clients and supporting long-term growth in space and fusion energy markets.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Competition Bureau releases its 2026-2027 Annual Plan

The Competition Bureau released its plan for 2026-2027, stating priorities to investigate mergers and anti-competitive conduct affecting essential expense sectors such as telecom, as well as measures against deceptive marketing practices. The Bureau aims to encourage removal of entry barriers and expansion opportunities for new competitors, aligning the agency's objectives with digital economy trends.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command launches Official Command Badge

On April 2, 2026, the Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command debuted its Official Command Badge, symbolizing its role as Canada’s authority for cyber operations and defence of military digital assets. The badge incorporates heritage elements for signals intelligence and electronic warfare, as well as design features representing technical precision, operational agility, and constitutional authority in national cyber operations.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan 2025 Survey on digital health system use among care providers

The 2025 StatsCan survey released March 30, 2026, found that 92% of Canadian healthcare providers had access to a digital health system in 2024 and 52% used such systems for sharing clinical information electronically outside their main practice. This data illustrates widespread adoption of digital technology in healthcare, with implications for privacy, interoperability, and secure communications.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

StatsCan report on competition intensity and labour productivity in Canada

A StatsCan study from March 30, 2026, examined the relationship between competition intensity and productivity, noting that competitive pressure incentivizes firms to innovate and adopt efficient technologies. Productivity growth in Canada has slowed for over twenty years, prompting policymakers to focus on competitive dynamics as a strategy for improvement.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Big streamers’ challenge of CRTC financial disclosure rules won’t proceed

On March 31, 2026, reports confirmed that major streaming platforms will not move forward with their challenge to Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) rules requiring financial disclosure. The decision leaves CRTC’s financial reporting requirements for streaming entities intact.

Sources: www.thestar.com

Provincial Government News

Quebec recognized for creativity and cooperation at Series Mania 2026

Quebec’s audiovisual sector received international recognition at the Series Mania Festival in Lille, highlighted by awards for Ayer’s Cliff and Bienvenue à Kingston-Falls, and ongoing cooperation with the Hauts-de-France region in digital creativity, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Government Consultations

Treasury Board launches Privacy Act Modernization consultation

The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat began soliciting feedback on modernizing the Privacy Act, focusing on updated privacy protections and federal oversight for the digital age. The consultation is open until July 10, 2026.

Sources: canada.ca

CRTC consultation on Canadian Broadcasting Regulations amendments

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is collecting input until April 7, 2026, on proposed amendments to the Television Broadcasting Regulations, Broadcasting Distribution Regulations, and Discretionary Services Regulations, following policy updates to certification for Canadian audio-visual programming.

Sources: crtc.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Liberal bill would force companies to simplify data access for police. No one knows the cost: A proposed bill would require telecoms to facilitate police data access, though industry costs remain uncertain.
• Want to future-proof your career? Build the skills that AI can’t replace: Article discussing career strategies amid rising adoption of artificial intelligence.
• Big streamers’ challenge of CRTC financial disclosure rules won’t go ahead: Streaming platforms retreat from contesting CRTC’s new financial disclosure requirements.
• 🔮 Exponential View #567: The rewiring of work; Development 2.0; Texas storage, AI microdrama, Hollywood++: Newsletter highlights changes across work, AI innovation, and storage technology.

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