Canada weighs digital sovereignty amid trade tensions with U.S. tech

Trade tensions between Canada and the United States are drawing new attention to Canada’s digital sovereignty, or the ability to regulate digital systems, protect data, and maintain legal control over online services. Experts quoted by CBC say Canada remains heavily dependent on U.S. technology companies across both the public and private sectors. The federal government itself relies on Microsoft products, and recent studies suggest Microsoft is the largest supplier listed in Canada’s AI register. The article points to examples from France, where the government has moved some public systems away from Microsoft and built domestic tools for government use. In Canada, officials are promoting sovereign cloud, AI, cyber, and quantum initiatives, while also encouraging more local alternatives. Still, experts say switching is difficult because convenience and existing habits make it hard for users and institutions to move away from dominant platforms.