October 25, 2026 to October 31, 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.

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.

📋 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

• Science and Research Committee examines risks and threats to Canadian science: Scheduled for November 3, the Standing Committee on Science and Research will hear witnesses from Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, National Research Council of Canada, and Public Health Agency of Canada to discuss risks and threats to Canadian science. The session is set for 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Room 410, Wellington Building, with webcast available.
• Procedure and House Affairs Committee studies artificial intelligence and democratic institutions: On November 3, the Procedure and House Affairs Committee will hold a hearing focused on artificial intelligence and Canada’s democratic institutions. Witnesses include officials from the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, AI Governance and Safety Canada, Brilliant With AI, and Library and Archives of Canada. The meeting will run from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., webcast available.
• Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs reviews Bill C-22 and defence procurement: The Senate National Security Committee convenes November 2 with in-camera consideration of Bill C-22, defence procurement, and reports. Panels include government, privacy, intelligence, and law enforcement officials, beginning at 4:00 p.m. in Room W110.
• Senate Committee examines artificial intelligence impacts: On November 4, the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology hosts witnesses from the Centre for International Governance Innovation and Canadian academics on AI impacts, 4:15 p.m. in Room B45, videoconference.
• Senate Committee continues study of AI in Canada with industry and academic witnesses: Scheduled for November 5, the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology will hear from Bell Cyber Inc., University of Toronto, and University of New Brunswick on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, at 10:30 a.m. in Room B45, videoconference.

Federal Government News

Government of Canada launches Telecom Competition Roadmap

On October 28, Minister Mélanie Joly announced Canada’s first Telecom Competition Roadmap. The framework seeks to dismantle regional barriers, facilitate access to affordable and reliable Internet and mobile services, and promote a unified Canadian telecom market. Measures include allowing easier access to existing networks for new competitors, greater flexibility for consumers to shop and switch providers, elimination of certain fees, and encouragement to deploy fibre-optic networks with new technologies in northern, rural, and Indigenous communities. Progress will be tracked through indicators such as price levels, network speed, coverage, and consumer complaints. The roadmap is designed to increase competition and investment, with network improvements across the country expected as a result.

Sources: www.canada.ca, www.thestar.com, www.ctvnews.ca

Competition Tribunal rules in deceptive marketing case against Rogers

On October 28, the Competition Tribunal ruled in favour of the Competition Bureau in its case against Rogers Communications, ordering the company to pay a $15 million penalty. Rogers was found to have marketed its Infinite wireless plans as unlimited, despite reducing speeds after a certain data threshold. The Tribunal also ordered Rogers to publish a corrective notice and reimburse legal costs. Interim Commissioner Jeanne Pratt commented that the ruling protects consumer access to accurate information when selecting wireless plans. Details of the Tribunal’s decision are expected to become public in the coming weeks.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada–EU to announce new digital partnership at Montreal summit

Minister Evan Solomon, along with Henna Virkkunen, European Commission Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, scheduled an announcement at the Canada–European Union Summit in Montreal on October 30. The new partnership is intended to strengthen Canada–EU cooperation on digital issues, with a facility tour and press availability planned for the event. The statement signals ongoing engagement between Canada and EU in areas of AI, cybersecurity, and broader digital policy.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CRTC launches national database to identify Canadian music

On October 29, the CRTC released a downloadable music database, centralizing information used by broadcasters to identify Canadian music for content requirements. The database is accessible to broadcasters, artists, and the public, streamlining the process of discovering and programming Canadian content. Expansion will include more French, Indigenous, and third-language music. The CRTC has invited user feedback to refine the system and has also removed periodic licence renewal requirements for radio stations, contributing to administrative modernization.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Ministers respond to Auditor General performance audit reports

On October 29, five federal ministers responded jointly to six performance audit reports tabled by the Auditor General. The reports addressed areas including dental care, strategic emergency stockpile management, call centres, ammunition management, financial system integrity, and border tax collection. Key data cited include 7.6 million Canadians enrolled in the dental plan, 4.9 million receiving care, and FINTRAC supporting 348 major investigations. Shared Services Canada plans to modernize contact centre technology, and the Canada Border Services Agency intends to phase out temporary workarounds with new system upgrades. FINTRAC generated 7,214 financial intelligence disclosures in 2025, and CARM processed $42 billion in duties and taxes. Each department accepted the recommendations and outlined a path toward system improvements in response.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada launches Trade Digitalization Task Force

Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon announced the formation and inaugural meeting of the Trade Digitalization Task Force on October 30. The group includes members from government, industry, and logistics and is tasked with identifying barriers and accelerating digital solutions for trade. The 'Tell Us Once' initiative is being piloted to allow businesses to submit information once for secure sharing across federal agencies. Expected outcomes include reduced administrative burden, lower costs, improved security for trade information, and increased efficiency in cross-border shipments.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Carney government unveils national security overhaul, considers new foreign intelligence powers

The federal government has disclosed its updated national security strategy, with a focus on expanding foreign intelligence powers. The announcement indicated a planned overhaul of intelligence gathering measures aimed at boosting Canada’s defensive capabilities and the protection of sensitive digital infrastructure. Detailed legislative proposals and policy changes are anticipated to follow.

Sources: www.thestar.com

Provincial Government News

Improving safety and stability for children in Alberta

Alberta introduced Bill 36, proposing amendments for child intervention services and online exploitation protections, including provisions for kinship placements and enhanced digital safety for children.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Accessibility evaluation for persons with disabilities in Quebec

Quebec published results from an evaluation of its accessibility policy, with over 4,000 measures in place for greater access to documents and services; ongoing challenges in awareness and implementation persist.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Ontario releases Fall Economic Statement and protection plan

Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy presented the province’s 2026 Fall Economic Statement, including targeted investments to bolster key industries such as advanced manufacturing, AI, and critical minerals.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario announces $8 billion Competitiveness Tax Cut

Ontario introduced a tax measure permitting immediate writeoffs for business asset investments, estimated to create 30,000 jobs and provide $8 billion in provincial tax relief over five years.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Ottawa launches telecom road map to improve competition, consumer choice: The federal government pursues national telecom competition.
• Hydro-Québec maintains plan to boost rates for data centres despite court ruling: Data centre operators confront rising power rates policies.
• Governments continuing to work toward cell service improvements across N.L.: Provincial and federal officials collaborate on cellular coverage upgrades in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• BlackLine Expands into Europe’s Trusted Cloud Market with S3NS: Canadian cloud security firm enters new European markets.
• Upgrades needed to support N.S. data centre: report: Nova Scotia faces infrastructure demands in support of expanding data centre capabilities.
• Bridging the technology gap in public safety: Public safety organizations seek advanced digital tools.
• Carney government unveils national security overhaul, eyes new foreign intelligence powers: Federal strategies target cyber and national security.

.