Opening Private Equity to Retail Investors? Don’t Do It.

From: Edward Waitzer and Rachel WassermanTo: Private equity watchersDate: March 20, 2026 Re: Opening Private Equity to Retail Investors? Don’t Do It.  A priority project for the Ontario Securities Commission currently is to give smaller investors easier access to private assets (including private equity investments). This is consistent with Donald Trump’s recent executive order directing the US Securities and Exchange Commission […]

Parity in cybersecurity practice for regulators and self-regulatory organizations

From: Gary Edwards To: Federal and provincial securities regulators; Treasury Board; Canadian Securities Administrators; self-regulatory organization leadersDate: March 19, 2026 Re: Parity in cybersecurity practice for regulators and self-regulatory organizations Regulators and self-regulatory organizations (SROs) set expectations for disclosure, incident management, and stewardship of sensitive information. These bodies also compel data collection and exercise delegated authority.  For that reason, there is a strong case for codifying and publicly articulating cybersecurity and privacy […]

The Missing Pillar of Canada’s AI Strategy: Data Supply Chains

Canada has invested billions of dollars in artificial intelligence (AI) talent, research, and computing infrastructure, but an important foundation for its innovation remains underdeveloped: strong, secure, and trusted data supply chains. Without clearer rules and institutions to support responsible data sharing, Canada risks constraining AI innovation and falling behind global competitors

Data Supply Chains Are a Missing Link in Canada’s AI Strategy

February 12, 2026 – Canada has invested billions of dollars in artificial intelligence (AI) talent, research, and computing infrastructure, but an important foundation for its innovation remains underdeveloped: strong, secure, and trusted data supply chains. Without clearer rules and institutions to support responsible data sharing, Canada risks constraining AI innovation and falling behind global competitors, […]

Canada’s AI Coordination Gap: Federal Levers Needed to Prevent Market Fragmentation

From: Harvey NaglieTo: Innovation observers Date: January 16, 2026Re: Canada’s AI Coordination Gap: Federal Levers Needed to Prevent Market Fragmentation A key challenge for Canada’s artificial intelligence policy is avoiding jurisdictional fragmentation. As provinces, agencies, and regulators develop procurement rules, public-sector AI requirements, and privacy expectations on separate tracks, Canadian firms – particularly smaller ones […]

The Timidity Danger in AI Regulation

From: Daniel SchwanenTo: Artificial Intelligence watchersDate: December 17, 2025Re: The Timidity Danger in AI Regulation Ottawa’s forthcoming AI strategy needs to walk a tightrope between two equally important principles: Safeguarding Canadians from possible misuses of AI but also giving our private and academic sectors the leeway to use Canada’s AI strengths to develop and commercialize new technologies and products. […]

Canada’s AI strategy needs to avoid excessive precaution

Ottawa’s forthcoming AI strategy needs to walk a tightrope between two equally important principles: safeguarding Canadians from possible misuses of AI but also giving our private and academic sectors the leeway to use Canada’s AI strengths to develop and commercialize new technologies and products.

Ottawa’s Blind EV optimism

From: Brian LivingstonTo: EV observersDate: November 27, 2025Re: Ottawa’s Blind EV optimism Prime Minister Mark Carney’s 60-day review of the federal zero-emission vehicle mandate, and the waiver of its 20-percent sales requirement for next year, has sparked plenty of debate. But what does hitting the brakes really mean for Canadians? It’s a chance to reflect […]

Canada Does Not Need an Upstream Oil and Gas Emissions Cap

From: Kate KoplovichTo: Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim HodgsonDate: November 26, 2025Re: Canada Does Not Need an Upstream Oil and Gas Emissions Cap The federal government released a Climate Competitiveness Strategy as part of Budget 2025 that clings to an upstream oil and gas emissions cap whose costs outweigh its relatively small and uncertain […]

Canada’s Financial Rules May Be Holding Growth Back

October 16, 2025 – Canada’s weak growth, low investment and lagging innovation point to the need for a more modern regulatory philosophy that balances both protection and progress, according to a new report from the C.D. Howe Institute. In “Pruning the Rulebook: Canada’s Financial Regulatory Scorecard, Year Two,” Gherardo Caracciolo’s updated findings revealed similar results […]

Pruning the Rulebook: Canada’s Financial Regulatory Scorecard, Year Two

In the second year of our regulatory scorecard paper, results continue to show the need for a more balanced approach to financial oversight, one that explicitly incorporates innovation and competition alongside traditional stability and consumer protection goals. Newly issued and updated regulatory documents did not change previous results. The imbalance reflects the mandates of Canadian […]

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