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.

Also consider subscribing to our ICT & Cybersecurity - Washington edition covering critical GR news south of the border.

Dates: 2026-02-02 to 2026-02-08

📋 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: Bill C-8 Clause-by-Clause Consideration: On February 10, the Public Safety and National Security Committee will conduct clause-by-clause review of Bill C-8, focusing on cybersecurity amendments to the Telecommunications Act from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Witnesses include officials from the Communications Security Establishment, Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, and Department of Industry.
• Industry and Technology Committee: Budget 2025 Implementation Act Review: The Industry and Technology Committee is set to examine clauses related to digital policy and telecom infrastructure in Bill C-15 on February 9 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., with Minister Mélanie Joly and senior department officials scheduled to appear.
• Finance Committee: Bill C-15 Fiscal Implementation and CRTC Briefing: Finance Committee will review Bill C-15 provisions on February 9 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., featuring testimony from Minister Marc Miller and a 4:30 p.m. panel with CRTC executives, including Chairperson Vicky Eatrides.
• Science and Research Committee: Artificial Intelligence Study: On February 12, the Science and Research Committee will host a session on artificial intelligence from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with witnesses from academia and the technology sector including Mehmet Murat Kristal and Dr. Taylor Owen.
• Senate Transport and Communications Committee: Budget Bill C-15 Review: February 10, the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications will meet in camera at 9:00 a.m. to review divisions of Part 5 from Bill C-15, with a draft report to be considered.
• Senate Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee: AI Impact and Security Legislation: The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology will convene February 12 at 10:30 a.m. to examine AI’s impact in Canada and portions of Bill C-12, with Professor Geoffrey Hinton scheduled as a witness by videoconference.
• Senate Transport and Communications Committee: Copper Wire Theft in Telecommunications: On February 11 at 6:45 p.m., the committee will address copper wire theft and its consequences for the telecom industry, concluding with a draft report.

Federal Government News

Bill S-5: Connected Care for Canadians Act Introduced

Health Canada has introduced Bill S-5, the Connected Care for Canadians Act, designed to enable interoperability across digital health systems. The bill sets out requirements for IT companies providing digital health services in Canada to adopt common standards for protected, secure information exchange. Only 29% of providers currently share electronic information securely outside their offices, highlighting the need for a unified framework. Mandatory standards will facilitate secure medical record access for Canadians and their providers. The legislation is developed in partnership with provincial and territorial bodies to strengthen patient outcomes, data protection, and compliance with existing privacy laws. The framework is intended to accelerate AI adoption within health care, supporting improved care delivery and unlocking economic opportunities for Canadian IT and AI companies.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Residual Spectrum Auction Secures 99% Licence Deployment

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada has announced results for the 2026 residual spectrum auction, awarding 196 out of 207 available licences to three Canadian firms. This deployment approaches 99% utilisation of available spectrum, targeting improved telecom services and network reach, particularly in rural and remote regions. The auction incorporates ambitious deployment requirements, obliging providers to activate the acquired spectrum promptly. The outcome is expected to encourage competition, innovation, and expedited 5G technology rollout. The government’s efforts are part of a broader policy drive to optimize telecom infrastructure and support essential service accessibility through reduced regulatory barriers.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CanNor Funds $2.8M in AI and Digital Literacy Initiatives Across Northern Territories

The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) is distributing $2,815,999 across four projects to promote AI adoption and digital literacy in Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon. Prosper NWT is tasked with creating an AI-powered entrepreneurship and business support centre. The Inuvik Tech Society will implement digital literacy and online safety training across seven communities in newly connected regions. Nunavut Economic Developers Association is developing community-level AI and ML tools for economic planning and automated grant writing tailored for Nunavut municipalities. DeltaVue Inc. aims to unify Arctic sensor data for standardized AI analysis, benefiting governments, researchers, and industries. Funding allocations span IDEANorth and REGI programs, supporting regional capacity-building and data interoperability.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Freedom Online Coalition Issues Statement on Iran Internet Shutdown

Global Affairs Canada, as part of the Freedom Online Coalition, has released a joint statement condemning the near-total shutdown of Internet and communications in Iran since January 8, 2026. The statement links connectivity disruptions to restrictions on access to essential services and economic activity and raises concerns over digital documentation and freedom of expression. The coalition calls for restoration of full Internet access, citing Iran’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The shutdown is characterized as part of a broader approach by authorities to limit speech, assembly, and information access.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CRTC Announces Measures to Bolster Official Language Minority Participation

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is revising its engagement practices with official language minority communities (OLMCs) and the French-speaking majority in Quebec. Adjustments include clearer identification of issues pertinent to OLMCs during proceedings and extended response timelines for comment submission. These measures follow consultations and form part of CRTC’s mandate under the modernized Broadcasting Act to enhance inclusiveness and ensure OLMC perspectives in regulatory processes. An OLMC engagement team has been established alongside broader actions, and the CRTC’s regulatory plan outlines continued efforts in broadcasting framework modernization.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Michel Media Availability on Digital Health Care System

Minister Marjorie Michel of Health Canada scheduled a media availability to address Canada’s strategy for creating a modern, digitally connected health care system. The session reiterates the government's commitment to improving care accessibility and communication through technology platform upgrades and digital infrastructure integration.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases Canadian Economic News for January 2026

Statistics Canada has published the January 2026 issue of Canadian Economic News, providing data and insights relevant to national economic trends and industry performance.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Alberta Launches Consultation on Modernizing the Personal Information Protection Act

Albertans and private-sector organizations can participate in a February online survey to inform updates to Alberta’s Personal Information Protection Act, which governs private sector personal data use.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Quebec Guidance for Protecting Personal Information Post-Municipal Elections

The Quebec government issued the Muni-Express to advise municipalities, newly elected, and re-elected officials on steps to safeguard their personal information following legislative changes.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Why protecting Canadian digital sovereignty must be near top of agenda in CUSMA talks with Trump: Canadian digital sovereignty discussions emerge as a focal point in recent CUSMA talks coverage.
• The Quiet Security Shift: Infrastructure Capital Flees to Safety: Article examines capital migration in the infrastructure and security sector.
• Startup shutdown: Canadian tech leaders respond to the Y Combinator news: Canadian startup community reacts to news from Y Combinator.
• Opinion: The Ghost in the machine is outpacing the real world. That’s a huge risk – and, for Canada, an opportunity: Analysis discusses the rapid advancement of AI technologies relative to traditional structures.
• Super Bowl prepares for potential AI cybersecurity threat: Coverage of AI-related cybersecurity risks ahead of a major sports event.

.