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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Dates: 2026-05-03 to 2026-05-09

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

CRTC Reaffirms 2027 Deadline for NG9-1-1 Transition

Speaking in Kingston on May 6, Bram Abramson, CRTC Commissioner for Ontario, restated the March 31, 2027 deadline for all public safety answering points (PSAPs) to complete the transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) networks. The Commission has no plans to extend beyond this date, after a previous two-year extension. Abramson noted that nearly 60% of Ontario’s population is already served by NG9-1-1 and highlighted the recently finalized PSAP Contingency Planning Framework, which sets hard deadlines for phases such as ESInet testing (by February 8, 2027) and end-user training (by February 27, 2027). He referenced ongoing work to develop a standardized methodology for mobile coverage reporting and the CRTC’s ongoing broadband fund, which opened its fourth call for funding in April, targeting underserved communities and independent providers. The CRTC’s telco outage notification decision and consultations on outage awareness remain in progress.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CRTC Chairs Discuss Modernized Broadcasting and Internet Rules

On May 5 in Toronto, CRTC Chair Vicky Eatrides outlined the Commission’s ongoing work to modernize broadcasting regulations in line with the recently adopted Online Streaming Act. Eatrides described new requirements for online streaming services to direct an estimated $200 million annually to Canadian content areas, including local news and Indigenous programming. The CRTC has implemented indefinite radio licensing, reduced administrative barriers for stations, and launched public consultations for a Commercial Radio News Fund and a centralized Canadian content database. Upcoming policy decisions will address audio sector rules, Canadian content definitions, and tailored service conditions for broadcasters. The Commission is also developing measures to ensure continued access to news and to support competition in telecommunications, including actions to limit customer fees and enhance service plan flexibility under the revised Telecommunications Act, with three major recent decisions on fees, contract notifications, and switching processes.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada’s Spring Economic Update Introduces Financial Crimes Agency and Crypto ATM Ban

At the Payments Canada Summit in Toronto on May 6, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne presented several new measures from the Spring Economic Update. Legislation to create the Financial Crimes Agency was tabled on April 27, 2026, with initial funding outlined, to investigate fraud, money laundering, and other sophisticated crimes. The update proposed $17.9 million in new funding for FINTRAC to target illicit financing linked to extortion. The government will ban crypto ATMs to counter their use as tools for fraud and money laundering, while allowing continued access to cryptocurrencies via regulated platforms. Efforts to facilitate stablecoin adoption under the Stablecoin Act and a National Anti-Fraud Strategy encompassing the financial and telecommunications sectors are ongoing. Recent changes to the Bank Act provide new consumer protections related to account control.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and EU Strengthen Global Telecoms Collaboration

On May 4 in Ottawa, the Government of Canada announced that the European Union, represented by the European Commission, has joined the Global Coalition on Telecommunications as its first strategic partner. This move follows the Coalition’s expansion to include Finland and Sweden in March 2026, and is intended to foster joint policy, technical, and research innovation in secure and resilient next-generation infrastructure among member states, including Australia, Japan, the UK, and the US.

Sources: www.canada.ca

NRC to Spin Out Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre as Private Commercial Entity

On May 4, Minister Mélanie Joly announced plans to commercialize the National Research Council’s Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre (CPFC), positioning it as an independent company focused on domestic industry development and attracting private capital. CPFC is North America’s only end-to-end pure play compound semiconductor facility. The initiative seeks to expand Canada’s domestic photonics manufacturing supply chain, respond to increased AI sector demand, address power and heat management challenges in data centers, and secure Canada’s role in quantum and advanced manufacturing. The spin-off is expected to increase support for Canadian SMEs in photonics, AI compute, and quantum technology.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Announcement Scheduled on Canadian Sovereign Large-Scale Data Centre

On May 8, Minister Evan Solomon (Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation) issued a media advisory for an upcoming announcement on May 11 in Vancouver regarding support for Canadian artificial intelligence infrastructure. The event will address initiatives related to a large-scale, sovereign data centre, with details available via ISED Media Relations.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Upcoming PacifiCan Event to Support Adoption of AI and Quantum Technologies

Minister Gregor Robertson (Housing and Infrastructure, PacifiCan) will hold an event in Vancouver on May 11 to announce investments in accelerating commercialization of Canadian AI and quantum technologies. The event will feature a demonstration of new robotic mobility technologies and will address measures to scale up businesses in the B.C. technology sector.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Public Safety Ministers to Announce Community Security Program Funding

On May 5 in Toronto, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Minister Evan Solomon (AI and Digital Innovation) scheduled a joint announcement regarding new federal funding for the Canada Community Security Program. The event focuses on government efforts to maintain community safety and will include a media availability.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Quebec Privacy and AI Awareness Week Launches

Between May 4-8, Quebec’s Secretariat for the Reform of Democratic Institutions, Access to Information and Secularism coordinated a Privacy Protection Awareness Week dedicated to artificial intelligence, in partnership with Asia-Pacific privacy authorities.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Quebec Delegation Engages Belgian Data Centre Stakeholders

A Quebec delegation participated in meetings with Belgian data centre operators, focusing on digital sovereignty, energy performance, and AI innovation, and signaled plans for deeper collaboration.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

B.C. Government Supports Lightning-Reduction Wildfire Tech Trials

The B.C. government awarded up to $1 million to Vancouver-based Skyward Wildfire Technologies for field testing AI-enabled wildfire prediction and lightning-reduction technology, under the Integrated Marketplace platform.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

B.C. Schedules Test of Emergency Cell, TV, and Radio Alerts

British Columbia will conduct a province-wide test of its Emergency Alert system on May 6, targeting cellphones, television, and radio as part of the national public alerting system.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Amendments Introduced to B.C. Privacy Law Bill 9

On May 4, Minister Diana Gibson introduced targeted changes to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, aiming to clarify legislative provisions and maintain access rights without changing FOI timelines or fees.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• ‘These are real-life consequences’: What to know about data sovereignty as the Trump administration tries to unmask an anonymous Canadian: US legal action raises fresh cross-border questions on digital privacy and data sovereignty.
• One Tech Tip: Why digital devices and online accounts need spring cleaning: Maintenance basics for consumer device and account security.

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