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Authors Call for a National Strategy to Strengthen Canada's Digital Sovereignty and AI-Driven Economy
Photo: The Globe and Mail
2026-06-17 00:41   Opinion   10

Authors Call for a National Strategy to Strengthen Canada's Digital Sovereignty and AI-Driven Economy

In this opinion article, Don Tapscott and Alex Tapscott argue that Canada has reached a pivotal moment as it faces two major forces: the emergence of a new geopolitical order and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence.

The authors contend that AI will fundamentally transform economic activity, institutions, government services, labour markets, and national competitiveness.

While Canada possesses strong talent, research capabilities, and natural resources, they believe the country lacks the digital-first infrastructure needed to succeed in what they describe as a new technological order.

The article highlights recent federal initiatives, including Canada's AI investments and the AI for All strategy, but argues that incremental policies will not be sufficient.Instead, the authors propose a national 'moonshot' centred on five objectives.

First, Canada should build sovereign digital infrastructure, including domestic AI capabilities, data governance frameworks, and digital identity systems to reduce dependence on foreign technology platforms.

Second, the country must improve its ability to transform research and startups into globally competitive Canadian companies through better access to capital and supportive policies.

Third, Canada should address its long-standing productivity challenges by accelerating AI adoption, modernizing industry, and encouraging technological investment.

Fourth, the authors call for modernizing national defence through greater emphasis on AI, cybersecurity, autonomous systems, and advanced technologies.

Finally, they argue that Canada must develop a new social contract capable of addressing a future in which AI automates many forms of work, requiring new approaches to public services, governance, and economic participation.

Overall, the article presents a vision for strengthening Canada's economic resilience, technological sovereignty, and competitiveness in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Full reading at The Globe and Mail

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