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: 2026-01-26 to 2026-02-01

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• Public Safety and National Security Committee Reviews Bill C-8 (Cyber Security Amendments): On February 3, the Public Safety and National Security Committee will discuss Bill C-8—regarding cyber security and amendments to the Telecommunications Act—during a clause-by-clause session from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Key witnesses from the Department of Public Safety and National Cyber Security Directorate are scheduled.
• Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Committee Explores AI Regulation Challenges: On February 2, the committee will study the challenges posed by artificial intelligence and its regulation, hearing from university experts and the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• Science and Research Committee Examines Mandates of Industry and AI Ministers: On February 5, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the Science and Research Committee will meet to discuss the mandates of the Minister of Industry and the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, with departmental officials and Minister Mélanie Joly appearing.

Federal Government News

Cyber Centre Releases Ransomware Threat Outlook 2025 to 2027

On January 28, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, under the Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSE), issued its latest Ransomware Threat Outlook covering the years 2025 to 2027. The report details how the ransomware ecosystem has become more sophisticated, noting the rise of financially-motivated actors using technologies such as artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency to enable more efficient and harder-to-detect attacks. The document stresses that all Canadian organizations face increasing risk from ransomware and identifies core trends, including the proliferation of new extortion schemes and the evolving tactics deployed by malicious actors. The Centre reiterates that fundamental preventative measures, such as software updates and multi-factor authentication, can improve cyber readiness. The assessment projects ransomware attacks will remain prominent over the next two years and calls for enhanced cooperation among law enforcement, governmental agencies, and the private sector.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CRTC Outlines Broadcasting Regulatory Modernization and Online Streaming Act Integration

On January 29, Nathalie Théberge, Vice-Chair for Broadcasting at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), detailed the Commission’s ongoing overhaul of Canada’s broadcasting regulatory architecture during an address to the Canada Media Producers Association. Recent changes include the integration of foreign online streamers into the Canadian regulatory framework under the Online Streaming Act and the imposition of base financial contributions from streaming services, expected to direct approximately $200 million annually to local news and underrepresented content. The CRTC has modernized its definition of Canadian audiovisual content, expanded creative position recognitions, and established incentives for foreign partnerships with Canadian creators. New licensing standards, including indefinite radio licences and streamlined data requirements, aim to reduce regulatory burden. Further decisions on Canadian program spending, content distribution rules, and discoverability are scheduled for coming months. These reforms are informed by broad public consultations and engagement with international regulators.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and Alberta Invest Over $224 Million to Expand High-Speed Internet to 82,500 Rural and Remote Households

On January 30 in Ardrossan, federal and provincial governments announced up to $224.78 million in joint funding targeting 26 projects aimed at deploying high-speed Internet to 82,584 homes across rural and remote communities in Alberta, including 1,634 Indigenous households. An additional $24.5 million in federal funding is allocated to Arrow Technology Group for a project serving 1,059 homes in four communities, 676 of which are Indigenous households. These initiatives are part of the ongoing Universal Broadband Fund and stem from a historic $780 million Canada-Alberta broadband partnership. The federal objective remains providing high-speed Internet access to 98% of Canadian households by the end of 2026 and full coverage by 2030.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Announcement of High-Speed Internet Expansion in Alberta

On January 29, officials announced a forthcoming update regarding improved rural Internet access in Alberta. The event, slated for January 30 at the Ardrossan Recreation Complex, brings together the Honourable Buckley Belanger and Alberta’s Minister of Technology and Innovation, Nate Glubish. Media availability is scheduled following the session.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Budget Investments in Major Infrastructure Featured at Toronto Event

The Honourable Shafqat Ali, President of the Treasury Board of Canada, is hosting an event at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Brampton Campus on January 30 to present federal budget investments designed for 21st-century infrastructure. The event will include media availability for further discussion.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Governments of Canada and Alberta Announce Programs to Boost Community Broadband Access

On January 30, an official backgrounder outlined ongoing collaborative efforts by the governments of Canada and Alberta to facilitate high-speed Internet access in communities across the province. These measures form part of the broader commitment to bridge the digital divide in underserved regions.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Quebec’s Public Event numériQc 2026 Opens Conference Proposal Submissions

Quebec’s Ministry of Cybersecurity and Digital has launched a call for speaker proposals for the Public Event numériQc 2026, themed "Transforming Differently," with the event scheduled for June 9, 2026.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

B.C. Introduces Competitive Process for Electricity Access in AI and Data Centre Sectors

On January 30, the Province of British Columbia and BC Hydro began a competitive selection process for artificial intelligence and data centre project electricity allocation, reserving as much as 400 megawatts over the initial two years and establishing screening, feasibility, and bid procedures.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Alberta Expands High-Speed Internet to 759 Communities

The Alberta government will connect another 759 communities to high-speed internet, bringing reliable access to 83,600 additional homes, including an estimated 3,488 Indigenous households, as part of its ongoing broadband strategy.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation Open: Rural Development Action Plan

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is collecting stakeholder input to inform the Rural Development Action Plan, with feedback accepted until February 6, 2026.

Sources: ised-isde.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Canada’s cybersecurity moment of truth: Coverage of Canada’s cybersecurity landscape and evolving threat vectors.
• CIRA expands Net Good Grants to help close digital divides amid rising digital sovereignty concerns: Reporting on CIRA’s grants aimed at closing digital gaps.
• High-speed internet access to be expanded to more rural, remote communities: News report on broadband expansion efforts in rural Canada.
• AI, data centre companies will have to compete for electricity in B.C.: Province’s new policy requiring competitive bids for clean energy from AI and data centre operators.

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