Recent trade and political tensions between Canada and the United States have sparked discussions about digital sovereignty in Canada and the need to preserve it. But what exactly does this concept entail, and how can Canada safeguard it?
Although the term may seem technical, experts simplify digital sovereignty as the country’s ability to regulate digital realms using available tools. Vass Bednar, managing director of the Canadian Shield Institute, explained this during an interview with CBC Radio’s Just Asking.
“Essentially, digital sovereignty refers to our capacity to govern digital environments with the resources at our disposal,” she emphasized, pointing out the importance of regulating algorithms that shape online content consumption.
Furthermore, Michael Geist, a Canada Research Chair specializing in internet and e-commerce law at the University of Ottawa, highlighted that digital sovereignty also encompasses the freedom to make Canadian choices and ensure Canadian laws are upheld.
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Google updates maps to show Lake America in the U.S. — but Canadians are now seeing it, too
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‘Lake America’ change highlights Canada’s reliance on U.S. tech
The federal government also defines digital sovereignty as ensuring Canada maintains control over its digital assets, technology, and essential online services, rather than depending on foreign entities or laws, as stated on a government webpage.
Against the backdrop of potential trade agreements between Canada and the U.S., concerns and speculations arose regarding digital sovereignty following remarks on “digital trade alignment” in a tweet from the U.S. Trade Representative account. However, negotiations between the two nations hit a snag over American demands for exemptions for U.S. streaming companies from Canadian content regulations.
In response, President Donald Trump signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America, leading to adjustments on mapping platforms such as Google and Apple Maps, raising questions about foreign influence on Canadian digital landscapes.
Assessing Canada’s Tech Dependence on the U.S.
Presently, Canada heavily relies on American technology corporations and online platforms across various sectors, according to Shion Guha, assistant professor in information and computer science at the University of Toronto.
Moreover, the federal government’s utilization of Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365 underscores this dependency. A recent renewal agreement worth $940 million over seven years between Shared Services Canada and Microsoft further solidifies this relationship.