May 10, 2026 to May 16, 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

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

Federal Government News

CRTC Vice-Chair Outlines Implementation of Competition Frameworks for Broadband and Wireless

Adam Scott, Vice-Chairperson of Telecommunications at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), addressed the Canadian Telecom Summit on May 12. Scott detailed the regulator’s progress in implementing new wholesale high-speed access (HSA) policies, citing over 8.5 million homes as targeted for new competitive broadband options through large ISPs expanding outside traditional regions. The CRTC reports a decline in wireless prices—down nearly 50% since 2019—attributed, in part, to the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) framework, which allows wholesale access for certain facilities-based carriers with a seven-year window to drive market entry. The commission has recently prohibited fees that act as barriers to switching, enacted notification rules, and rolled out measures to enable seamless plan changes for consumers. Informal dispute resolution and final offer arbitration, as used in the MVNO proceedings, are under consideration for expedited regulatory intervention. The CRTC remains active in finalizing implementation steps for fibre wholesale access and is monitoring changes in competitive dynamics, with sustained attention to rapid processing of decisions and funding applications.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and TELUS Advance Large-Scale Sovereign AI Data Centre Initiative

On May 11, the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, announced that the federal government and TELUS are collaborating to bring a large-scale AI data centre project online in British Columbia. This initiative, under the Enabling large-scale sovereign AI data centres policy, aims to increase Canada’s domestic compute infrastructure to support AI research and industry adoption. The project is progressing under a non-binding memorandum of understanding, consistent with Budget 2025 priorities. The move is part of a broader government strategy to provide the innovation ecosystem with expanded compute capacity, with a focus on fostering industry and academic growth in AI. Factors such as Canada’s climate, energy resources, and existing network infrastructure are cited as advantages for attracting data centre investment.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian Digital Regulators Forum Schedules Workshop on AI Regulation

The Canadian Digital Regulators Forum (CDRF), which includes the CRTC, Competition Bureau, Office of the Privacy Commissioner, and the Copyright Board, announced an interactive workshop for May 21 focusing on regulatory responses to artificial intelligence. The event will feature CDRF leadership and Policy Horizons Canada, with discussions targeting the intersection of AI with competition, privacy, copyright, and telecommunications law. Organizers encourage early registration due to limited space. Proceedings and session videos will be made publicly available following the event, offering insight into future regulatory approaches affecting the ICT sector’s deployment of AI.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Funding to Expand High-Speed Internet Access in New Brunswick

On May 13, Secretary of State for Rural Development Buckley Belanger and MP David Myles announced more than $73 million in Universal Broadband Fund financing for New Brunswick. Two projects led by Rogers Communications and Xplore will connect over 27,600 households in more than 500 rural and remote communities—several of them Indigenous. The federal government confirmed its 2030 target for nationwide broadband coverage remains on track, and highlights ongoing investment to address persistent rural and remote digital gaps.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Over $13 Million for High-Speed Internet Expansion in the Northwest Territories

Federal officials, including Secretary of State for Rural Development Buckley Belanger and Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty, announced on May 15 a $13 million outlay to expand Northwestel’s broadband infrastructure. The project is expected to deliver service to roughly 869 households in up to nine northern Indigenous communities. Northwestel will also use capacity from Telesat Lightspeed’s low Earth orbit satellite constellation, under a $600 million federal agreement, to enhance coverage. The program is funded via the Universal Broadband Fund and forms part of Ottawa’s strategy to reach universal high-speed broadband by 2030.

Sources: www.canada.ca

PacifiCan Commits $17.3 Million to AI and Quantum Technology Firms in B.C.

On May 11, Minister Gregor Robertson (PacifiCan) announced $17.3 million in investments for eight British Columbia tech sector firms focusing on artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. Recipients include Human in Motion Robotics, which will commercialize an AI-enhanced exoskeleton for mobility-impaired users, and Dream Photonics, which is developing advanced optical components for next-generation communications. The funding supports domestic IP creation, skills development, and pilot manufacturing critical to Canada’s position in global technology value chains. Support for these innovation projects is part of broader federal efforts to drive digital transformation and supply chain strength amid market uncertainty.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Funding Supports Rural Connectivity and Transit in Manitoba

On May 15, a $63 million federal investment to support nine projects was announced for rural and northern Manitoba. Of this, $61 million will fund four high-speed internet initiatives, connecting 2,309 households—primarily Indigenous—in 11 rural and remote communities through the Universal Broadband Fund. Additional projects target rural transit and community infrastructure, including accessibility improvements. The measures aim to deliver modern communications and support the provision of essential online services across regional Manitoba.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

British Columbia Backs Health Tech Pilots, Targeting AI and Robotics Innovations

The B.C. government, through the Integrated Marketplace Health Testbed and PacifiCan, is providing over $5.3 million to local firms for technologies ranging from generative AI drug discovery to AI-powered hospital interface platforms. This supports the province’s broader look west strategy and aims to scale up B.C. tech in healthcare settings.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Signal and NordVPN consider pulling out of Canada over Bill C-22: VPN providers weigh exiting Canadian market in response to lawful access legislation.
• Bill to help authorities probe online activities raises widespread privacy fears: Industry groups and privacy advocates raise questions over powers proposed in online surveillance bill.
• Opinion: Telecoms stop bluffing Ottawa by cutting spending on networks: Analysis of reduced capital outlays by telecom providers as regulatory and competitive pressures mount.
• Globe editorial: Ottawa must boost wireless competition: Editorial calls attention to federal policy efforts to spur further wireless market entry and consumer price gains.

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