70 leading Canadians, civil society groups ask Carney to protect Canada’s ‘digital sovereignty’
In a recent open letter addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney, a group of experts, academics, and organizations have raised concerns about the need to defend Canada’s digital sovereignty in the face of potential threats from the Trump administration. The letter emphasizes the importance of securing Canada’s digital economy and protecting it from external influences.
Barry Appleton, a Toronto-based international trade lawyer and one of the signatories of the letter, highlighted the shift from building physical infrastructure like railways to building algorithms in today’s digital age. He stressed the significance of Canada being able to govern the code that governs its citizens in order to maintain sovereignty and autonomy.
The letter specifically calls for protections for social media, cloud systems, AI engines, digital transactions, and other data that could be exploited by a regime seeking technological dominance. With a significant portion of Canada’s internet traffic currently routed through the U.S. and U.S.-based tech giants, the letter warns of the potential risks and vulnerabilities faced by Canadian digital creators and artists.
The signatories urge the Canadian government to take proactive steps to safeguard the country’s digital sovereignty. This includes launching a public consultation to gather input from experts and the public, conducting an independent threat assessment of Canada’s digital infrastructure, and updating legislation such as the Consumer Privacy Protection Act and the Online Harms Act.
Additionally, the letter calls for a reevaluation of the decision to cancel the digital services tax (DST) which would have required tech giants to pay a percentage of revenues from Canadian users. The signatories also raise concerns about the Strong Borders Act, a piece of legislation that could potentially infringe on privacy rights and increase surveillance capabilities.
While a spokesperson for Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Evan Solomon acknowledged the letter, it remains to be seen whether the government will act on the recommendations put forth. The spokesperson emphasized the government’s commitment to implementing clear regulations that protect digital platforms while fostering innovation and growth.
As Canada grapples with the need to secure its digital future, the call to action from experts and organizations underscores the importance of prioritizing digital sovereignty in an increasingly interconnected and technology-driven world.
