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.

Dates: 2026-01-19 to 2026-01-25

📋 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 Review Bill C-8 (Cyber Security/Telco Act Amendments): On January 27, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST, the Public Safety and National Security Committee will examine Bill C-8, focused on cyber security and amendments to the Telecommunications Act. Hon. Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry, and senior officials from Industry Canada are scheduled to appear.
• Industry and Technology Committee Studies Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 1: The Industry and Technology Committee will meet on January 26 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST to review aspects including privacy and information protection, with witnesses from the Offices of the Information and Privacy Commissioners of Canada. The meeting will later transition to a closed session discussing productivity gaps and capital outflows.
• Public Accounts Committee Considers Cyber Security of Government Networks: On January 26, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST, the Public Accounts Committee will discuss the Auditor General’s report on government network and systems cyber security. Senior representatives from the Office of the Auditor General, Communications Security Establishment, Shared Services Canada, and Treasury Board Secretariat are expected.
• Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Committee to Examine AI Regulation Challenges: On January 26 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST, the Ethics committee reviews regulatory challenges of artificial intelligence. Scheduled witnesses include Wyatt Tessari L’Allié (AI Governance and Safety Canada), Etienne Brisson (The Human Line Project), researchers from Control AI US, and other AI governance experts.

Federal Government News

Competition Bureau Publishes Report on Algorithmic Pricing Consultation

On January 22, the Competition Bureau Canada released a summary of feedback from its recent consultation on algorithmic pricing and competition. The report details input from over 100 stakeholders including industry groups, academics, and consumer organizations and spotlights four recurring themes: increased market efficiency through dynamic pricing, potential for anticompetitive practices, concerns about data transparency affecting competition and consumers, and the need for regulation that controls anticompetitive conduct without restricting innovation. The Bureau intends to use the findings to guide its response to emerging pricing models influenced by algorithms in sectors such as hospitality, ticketing, and ridesharing. The report's publication marks an ongoing process to assess impacts on pricing strategy and competition in Canadian markets.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Commits $123 Million for ASEAN Development, Spotlight on Digital Economy and AI Governance

Global Affairs Canada announced $123 million for 18 development projects in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Fiji, with funds supporting climate resilience, inclusive governance, small business growth, and disaster risk management. Included in the announcement are four new $4.2 million initiatives under the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action Trust Fund, extending technical assistance in digital economy, artificial intelligence (AI) governance, agriculture, and energy transition. The Canada and ASEAN AI Connect initiative, delivered via a $1.8 million grant to the Atlantic Council, focuses on building frameworks and regional partnerships for responsible AI governance and safety. Additional programs cover digitalization megatrends, tackling cybercrime, misinformation, and bolstering science-based standards for food safety and clean energy technologies. During his trip, Secretary of State Randeep Sarai engaged with government, private sector, and civil society stakeholders in all three countries to promote collaboration in ICT, disaster risk reduction, and cross-border trade.

Sources: www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca

Minister Sidhu Announces Canadian ICT/AI Commercial Partnerships in Saudi Arabia

Minister Maninder Sidhu led a trade delegation to Saudi Arabia where Canadian companies in ICT, artificial intelligence, clean technology, and infrastructure sectors signed about $600 million in partnership agreements. Notable deals include BlackBerry’s agreement with Afaq Al Jazeera and OpenText’s partnership with Najm, while Niagara College secured multiple institutional collaborations. The mission included meetings with Saudi Arabia’s Ministers of Investment, Commerce, and Communications and Information Technology. OpenText also inaugurated its regional headquarters in Riyadh. The Canada-Saudi Arabia Joint Economic Commission was reactivated to support bilateral trade and formalize cooperation, presenting further opportunities for Canadian businesses in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada Details Broadband and Digital Infrastructure Investments

Federal announcements from Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada laid out funding allocations for housing units, transit improvements, community infrastructure, and technology development—spanning Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada. In Ontario, $31.3 million is dedicated to broadband rollout under the Northumberland Universal Broadband Fund, along with investments for water and waste infrastructure expected to catalyze over 60,000 new homes. Across Canada, the Canada Infrastructure Bank committed billions in loans during 2025 for clean power, green infrastructure, broadband, and Indigenous infrastructure. In Quebec, federal funding has supported the Montréal Metro Blue line extension and tramway expansion, as well as a $55 million CIB loan for the Torngat Metals critical minerals project. Atlantic region investments feature $3.6 billion in clean power infrastructure loans, including $660 million for mill modernization in New Brunswick. These projects are mapped through the national housing and infrastructure portal; not all projects appear on the map.

Sources: www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca

PacifiCan Approves $2.5 Million Investment for Industrial IoT Deployment in Kelowna

Pacific Economic Development Canada announced $2.5 million in repayable funding for MAKR Group in Kelowna. The capital will be used to implement an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) system that connects smart machines via sensors, enabling real-time monitoring and communication for manufacturing operations. The system is intended to improve production efficiency, enhance product quality, and optimize resource usage, supporting both MAKR’s Waterplay segment and the Wekid manufacturing plant. This funding is channeled through PacifiCan’s Business Scale-up and Productivity program, with global construction for spray parks and splash pads projected to grow substantially by 2028. The investment aims to support local competitiveness and job creation.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Québec Unveils 2025-2031 Strategy for Critical and Strategic Minerals Development

Québec launched its Critical and Strategic Minerals Strategy with a $88.1 million budget, focusing on accelerating projects, improving mineral processing, deploying strategic infrastructure, and engaging partners. The plan targets strengthening supply chains and supports the province’s position in mineral transformation, value creation, and local economic diversification.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

B.C. Integrated Marketplace Facilitates Airport Technology Pilots

British Columbia announced new projects piloting EV charging, battery storage, and electrified aircraft loaders at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), funded through Innovate BC and PacifiCan under the Integrated Marketplace program. These initiatives aim to improve energy management and operational efficiency at YVR.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario Invests $47 Million in Research and Innovation Projects

Ontario’s provincial government allocated over $47 million to 195 research projects at universities, colleges, and hospitals. The funding is distributed through the Ontario Research Fund, targeting areas such as information technology, manufacturing, and critical minerals.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Advances Bid to Host Defence, Security and Resilience Bank

Ontario and Toronto launched a bid book for the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB), submitting Toronto as Canada’s candidate for the DSRB’s headquarters. The bid supports the city’s financial, research, and tech sectors and proposes leveraging provincial funds as a potential equity partner.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Manitoba Supports Equipment Interoperability in Agriculture

Manitoba provided $25,000 to Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) toward farm equipment interoperability, bringing the province’s total support to $990,000 for digital and engineering projects designed to improve data sharing and automation for producers.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Competition Bureau hears of affordability, privacy concerns over algorithmic pricing: Media coverage explores stakeholder feedback on algorithmic pricing and competitive dynamics.
• Defending Canada’s Arctic will need dual-use technologies. Our manufacturers have a head start: Industry perspective on Canadian manufacturers' capacity in dual-use tech for Arctic defense.
• Big Tech companies effectively govern our lives. It’s time they’re held accountable for it: Analysis of governance and accountability issues related to major technology platforms.
• U.S. firm investing in Canada’s tech talent to build next generation of AI companies: Spotlight on investments by U.S. companies in Canadian AI workforce.
• The AI Energy Supercycle: Striving to Secure 24/7 Power Infrastructure: Examination of AI-driven approaches to modernizing energy infrastructure.

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