Carney urged the coalition of experts, public figures to strengthen digital sovereignty, scrap strong boundaries
Nearly 70 public figures, academics, and expert groups have penned a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney urging him to prioritize the defense of Canada’s digital sovereignty against foreign tech giants. The coalition, which includes prominent individuals such as author Margaret Atwood and former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, expresses concerns about the potential threats to privacy posed by the unchecked influence of foreign-controlled technology companies.
Despite Prime Minister Carney’s “Canada Strong” rhetoric earlier this year, the coalition notes a lack of significant action from his government in addressing the challenges to Canada’s digital sovereignty. Barry Appleton, co-director of the New York Law School’s Center for International Law, emphasizes the importance of Canada maintaining control over its digital infrastructure to safeguard its status as a sovereign democracy.
The signatories highlight the dominance of tech giants like Google in key areas such as social media, cloud systems, AI engines, data privacy protection, and critical infrastructure. They call for the implementation of a cyber security law to protect critical cyber systems essential for public safety and national security. Additionally, the coalition advocates for the repeal of Bill C-2, known as the Strong Borders Bill, which has raised concerns about privacy rights and surveillance powers granted to law enforcement agencies.
The letter also calls for a sovereignty-first digital strategy that includes regulations on AI and the establishment of a “digital sovereignty framework” to ensure Canadian jurisdiction over data, cloud services, and AI technologies. The coalition stresses the need for an audit of foreign-controlled systems to identify vulnerabilities and protect against external influence.
Furthermore, the signatories urge the Canadian government to learn from other countries’ experiences with digital sovereignty and avoid becoming overly dependent on the US for digital infrastructure. They recommend measures to prevent foreign AI companies from exploiting Canadian news and culture without permission or compensation and call for the modernization of copyright legislation to safeguard Canadian interests.
In conclusion, the coalition’s letter serves as a wake-up call to Prime Minister Carney and his government to take decisive action to protect Canada’s digital sovereignty and ensure the country’s independence in the digital age. By prioritizing the interests of Canadian citizens and implementing robust regulations, Canada can safeguard its democratic values and maintain control over its digital future.
