April 26, 2026 to May 02, 2026

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.

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📋 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

• Public Safety and National Security Committee to Study Bill C-22 (Lawful Access): On May 5, the House Public Safety and National Security Committee will meet from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to study Bill C-22 (Lawful Access), with scheduled appearances by Ministers Gary Anandasangaree and Sean Fraser and senior officials, in Room 415, Wellington Building.
• House Ethics Committee Schedules Main Estimates Review on May 7: The Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Committee will convene May 7 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to examine the 2026-27 Main Estimates for a range of commissioner offices, including Information and Privacy Commissioners of Canada.
• Senate National Security Committee to Review Bill C-8 (Cyber Security and Telecommunications Act): The Senate National Security, Defence, and Veterans Affairs Committee will examine Bill C-8 (Cyber Security, amending the Telecommunications Act) on May 4 at 4 p.m., with panel appearances from Public Safety, ISED Canada, Energy Regulator, financial and industry stakeholders.
• Senate Transport and Communications to Discuss AI Opportunities and Challenges in ICT Sector: On May 5 at 9 a.m., the Senate Committee on Transport and Communications will meet in camera, reviewing a draft report on the opportunities and challenges of AI within the information and communications technology sector.
• Senate Social Affairs Committee to Examine the Impact of AI in Canada: The Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology will hold hearings on May 6 from 4:15 p.m. regarding the societal impact of AI, with testimony from stakeholders including the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, Canadian Paediatric Society, and university experts.
• Senate Human Rights Committee Reviews AI’s Effects on Human Rights and Economic Security: On May 4 at 4 p.m., the Senate Human Rights Committee is set to discuss the impact of AI on human rights and economic security, especially for vulnerable groups, with witness panels and consideration of its draft report.
• Senate Social Affairs Committee to Consider AI Impact Report on May 7: The Senate Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee will meet in camera May 7 at 10:30 a.m. to discuss its draft report on the impact of artificial intelligence in Canada.

Federal Government News

CRTC Briefs Senate Committee on National Finance: Competition, Affordability, and Digital Regulation

On April 29, Marc Morin, Secretary General and Executive Vice-President for the CRTC, addressed the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance on the commission’s main estimates and recent initiatives. Morin described recent steps to improve competition by facilitating access to large telecommunications firms’ networks, noting that cellphone service prices dropped 37.7% between 2021 and 2025. He stated that competitors have announced plans to deliver new Internet choices to up to 8.5 million households. The CRTC has enacted measures allowing consumers easier access to alternatives, as well as improved ability to manage and switch plans. On the security front, Morin reiterated the CRTC’s role in Canada’s anti-spam legislation, in coordination with the Competition Bureau and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. He highlighted ongoing broadcasting modernization efforts, with 1,700+ stakeholder submissions and new requirements for streaming services projected to contribute an estimated $200 million annually to the Canadian system. Morin stated that only about 4.5% of CRTC’s budget comes from parliamentary appropriations, primarily for anti-spam regulation. He forecast additional key decisions in the coming weeks.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CRTC Updates Broadband Expansion and Indigenous Connectivity at BC Broadband Association

Nirmala Naidoo, CRTC Commissioner for Alberta and the Northwest Territories, spoke at the British Columbia Broadband Association on April 28. The address detailed the latest call for applications under the Broadband Fund, designed to bring high-speed Internet and mobile services to more than 320 communities benefiting over 54,000 households. Naidoo discussed efforts to develop a dedicated Indigenous Stream of the fund, with ongoing consultations with Indigenous communities. To date, 68 projects supporting rural, remote, and Indigenous connectivity have been approved. Noting the persistence of coverage gaps, Naidoo said recent changes following a 2024 review have streamlined applications and reduced barriers for Indigenous applicants. The CRTC seeks input on further strengthening outage notifications and network resiliency standards, specifically including resiliency-focused projects and consumer protections around disruptions and bill credits. Decisions on these policies are expected in the near term.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CRTC Discusses Telecommunications Policy and Local Journalism at Ontario Small Urban Municipalities Conference

Bram Abramson, Ontario CRTC Commissioner, addressed the Ontario Small Urban Municipalities conference in Parry Sound on April 30, highlighting the commission’s roles under the Telecommunications Act, Broadcasting Act, and Online News Act. Abramson discussed CRTC's oversight of local broadcasting, support funds, and its limited role under the Online News Act. He referenced consultations on mobile coverage reporting and network resiliency, and recent CRTC measures mandating advance notifications for account changes, eliminating certain provider fees, and enhancing customer-facing information. Abramson confirmed a forthcoming consolidation of consumer codes—including the Wireless, Internet, Television, and Deposit and Disconnection Codes—into a unified framework. He also noted an emergency communications switchover, with Enhanced 9-1-1 services scheduled to transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 by March 31, 2027, requiring municipal preparedness. The address emphasized the importance of municipal engagement in regulatory proceedings as CRTC decisions are largely record-driven.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Government to Announce New Photonic Semiconductor Initiative

On May 4, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly will announce a development linked to the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre in Ottawa. The National Research Council’s media advisory requests press attendance, with formal remarks scheduled for 7 p.m. (ET). This event signals planned action in Canada’s photonic semiconductor sector, an area of emerging significance for multiple parts of the ICT industry.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government of Canada Invests in AI and Tech Ecosystems to Boost Saskatchewan’s Sector

PrairiesCan announced more than $7.9 million in federal funding for Saskatchewan’s innovation sector on April 30. This includes $3.7 million to tech incubator Co.Labs for enhanced programming and Uniting the Prairies conferences, and $4.1 million directed to AI-focused organizations and projects. Beneficiaries include Coconut Software Corporation (AI workforce management tools), Vendasta Technologies (AI workflows for SMEs), HomeTeam Live Technologies (AI-enabled sport streaming), the University of Regina (AI for climate prediction), and Artificial Intelligence Saskatchewan Corp. (events and platform development). The investment forms part of federal priorities to commercialize AI, grow the digital sector, and facilitate SME access to capital and partnerships.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Overview of Federal Investments Targeting Saskatchewan AI and Innovation Ecosystems

A detailed backgrounder from Prairies Economic Development Canada outlines investment streams supporting six Saskatchewan organizations. Under the Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) program, Co.Labs receives $3.75 million for collaborative initiatives and event delivery, while AiSK received $10,000 for organizing the Sask AI Expo. The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) grants approx. $4.17 million in a mix of repayable and non-repayable funds to four firms and the University of Regina, targeting solutions for financial sector management, SME workflow automation, sport streaming, and climate data analysis. This continues the 2024 budget’s focus on competitive AI commercialization.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CSIS Releases 2025 Public Report Outlining Intelligence, Cyber, and Security Activity

On May 1, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) published its 2025 public report. The document covers operational achievements in 2025, including counterterrorism initiatives that led to law enforcement action, counterintelligence and foreign interference responses, protection against transnational repression, and activities aimed at preventing state-sponsored cyber intrusion. The report describes CSIS’s intelligence contributions toward national sovereignty, economic stability, and national security, as well as the agency’s pledge to transparency regarding its counter-threat activities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

British Columbia Calls for Stronger Federal Regulation on Online Harms and AI Safety

On April 28, BC Attorney General Niki Sharma and Minister of State Rick Glumac reaffirmed the province’s advocacy for federal online harms legislation, including minimum safety standards for youth and national AI company standards with incident reporting thresholds.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario Expands Support for Intellectual Property in Postsecondary Research Sector

The Ontario government announced on April 29 up to $8 million investment through Intellectual Property Ontario, expanding support and training for postsecondary institutions’ research commercialization and technology transfer, including a new Innovation Fellowship Pilot Program.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Launches Partnership to Expand AI Education in K-12 Schools

Alberta announced a three-year partnership with the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute on April 27, developing AI learning kits for K-12 classrooms, backed by a $2.7 million grant to support teachers and AI literacy in schools.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Alberta Invests $91 Million to Advance Industrial Technology and Competitiveness

On April 29, Alberta launched the latest round of its Industrial Transformation Challenge, committing $41 million for nine new projects in energy, construction, and manufacturing sectors to deploy cost-saving technologies and strengthen supply chains.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Cybersecurity leader: Canada is falling behind: A profile of concerns regarding Canada’s competitiveness in cybersecurity by industry executives, as reported by Financial Post.

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