The strategy notes one sizable hurdle standing in the way: an enormous lack of AI literacy and trust from the Canadian public. Less than a quarter of Canadians have training on how to use AI systems, and \u201chalf regard AI as a threat to humanity.\u201d These numbers are likely contributing to Canada\u2019s lagging AI adoption (see Georgian\u2019s report later in this newsletter).<\/p>\n
Ottawa promises partial fixes in the form of education funding<\/a> and privacy legislation<\/a>. That legislation has yet to be tabled or outlined, and what it might look like isn\u2019t the only outstanding question<\/a> regarding how this strategy will lead to AI for all. Those details are important. As AI strategy task force member Taylor Owen noted<\/a>, \u201cFolding these protections into the strategy itself in a substantive way would [have] sent a strong signal to Canadians that their safety and their rights are not adjacent to Canada\u2019s AI ambitions, but a core part of them.\u201d<\/p>\n Canada\u2019s early AI pioneers have repeatedly stated<\/a> that development of the tech must be done with strong public buy-in. The nation finally has a broad and ambitious AI strategy. But the tactics through which it is enacted will determine whether Ottawa can deliver the promised outcomes.\u00a0<\/p>\n Sarah Rieger Manufacturing Innovation Could Qualify for SR&ED<\/p>\n Manufacturers solve tough technical problems every day, improving processes, testing new materials, building prototypes, automating production, and finding better ways to deliver quality at scale. Some of that work may qualify for SR&ED tax credits.<\/p>\n Boast helps Canadian manufacturers identify eligible R&D activities, organize the right documentation, and prepare stronger claims with a combination of SR&ED expertise and purpose-built technology. Whether your team is refining production methods, developing new products, or solving technical uncertainty on the shop floor, Boast can help you understand what may qualify.<\/p>\n Start with a free SR&ED eligibility assessment and see how much value your manufacturing innovation could unlock. Check eligibility.<\/a><\/p>\n \u200bCanadian government gains access to Anthropic\u2019s powerful Mythos model<\/a><\/p>\n \u200bCanada is now on the exclusive list of countries and organizations with access to Anthropic\u2019s Mythos AI model, which the US company has claimed is too powerful to release to the wider public.<\/p>\n AI and digital innovation minister Evan Solomon called it \u201can important step\u201d for Canada to strengthen cyber protections.<\/p>\n Robinhood officially enters Canada, following WonderFi acquisition<\/a><\/p>\n \u200bIt\u2019s been more than a year since US trading platform Robinhood signed a $250-million deal to buy Canadian startup WonderFi. With the acquisition officially closed, the Robinhood app (with WonderFi\u2019s crypto tools under the larger brand) is now available to Canadians. WonderFi president and CEO Dean Skurka has also exited the company.<\/p>\n \u200bCohere says it is not working with Palantir<\/a><\/p>\n \u200bThe Toronto AI company told BetaKit it\u2019s not working with controversial US data firm Palantir, following reports of a rumoured partnership.<\/p>\n A spokesperson did confirm that, several years ago, Cohere participated in a \u201cshort-term pilot arranged at the request of a prospective customer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u200bOpinion: Canada\u2019s Bill C-22 creates a blueprint for surveillance<\/a><\/p>\n The government says the proposed legislation is meant to give law enforcement tools to investigate crimes and threats within digital systems. Windscribe CEO Yegor Sak argues that, even with amendments, it comes at the cost of online privacy for every Canadian internet user.<\/p>\n \u200b Q&A: Why cleantech might not be as clean as it seems<\/a><\/p>\n BetaKit caught up with Vince Beiser, an award-winning journalist and author of Power Metal: The Race for the Resources That Will Shape the Future, for a candid talk about cleaner ways to mine critical minerals and why \u201ccleantech\u201d could be a misnomer.<\/p>\n Shopify ups share buyback program as activist investors question AI policies<\/a><\/p>\n The e-commerce giant increased the $2-billion USD share repurchase program it launched in February by another $3 billion this week. This comes weeks before its AGM on June 16, where Shopify faces an activist shareholder proposal demanding the company adopt responsible AI policies.<\/p>\n ICYMI at Toronto Tech Week<\/p>\n Finance leaders debated<\/a> whether stablecoins would leapfrog real-time rail payments at the Canadian Finance Summit.<\/p>\n Tech workers, academics, and founders explored<\/a> the future of working with AI\u2014and who might benefit most\u2014at an event hosted by Re-Work.<\/p>\n Georgian released a study<\/a> showing that Canadian B2B software firms are falling behind their peers in adopting agentic AI.<\/p>\n \u200bLinux Association of Canada launches national open-source library<\/a><\/p>\n The newly founded Saskatoon-based association is accepting entries for open-source projects that were founded or mainly developed in Canada. Organizers say the goal is to bolster access to sovereign software that\u2019s free to use and modify.\u200b<\/p>\n FEATURED STORIES FROM OUR PARTNERS<\/p>\n How Toronto Pearson is turning Canada\u2019s busiest airport into a proving ground for innovation<\/p>\n Toronto Pearson International Airport\u2019s multi-billion-dollar LIFT initiative<\/a> is transforming Canada\u2019s busiest airport into a proving ground for homegrown tech.<\/p>\n The future of driving has already hit Canadian roads<\/p>\n General Motors\u2019 engineering footprint in Ontario<\/a> has positioned Canada at the forefront of the global automotive landscape as its Super Cruise hands-free technology becomes the primary driver of advanced driver-assistance systems.<\/p>\n SR&ED season is here. How to claim the hours you actually worked<\/p>\n Chrono Innovation\u2019s automated data platform<\/a> is leading a structural shift in process documentation to prepare Canadian businesses for a successful SR&ED tax claim season.<\/p>\n Why scaling requires more than speed<\/p>\n IDEA Mississauga\u2019s Step Up Program<\/a> is helping early-stage founders navigate the growth gap by building the foundational systems and strategies required to successfully scale.<\/p>\n \u200b\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 Weekly Canadian Deals, Dollars & More<\/p>\n VAN \u2013 Version One Ventures raises<\/a> $108M USD across two new funds Physical AI and economic nationalism at BetaKit Most Ambitious: Town Hall<\/a>\u200b<\/p>\n \u201cYou guys have done what you\u2019ve done with the wind in your face. Imagine if you had the wind at your back. Wow.\u201d<\/p>\n Couldn\u2019t attend BetaKit Most Ambitious: Town Hall? Don\u2019t worry. Enjoy Waabi CEO Raquel Urtasun explaining how the future of transportation will be driven by physical AI before sitting down to discuss Canada\u2019s AI ecosystem with U of T president Melanie Woodin. Then we have former RIM co-CEO and CCI chair Jim Balsillie talking about the need for economic statecraft to drive Canadian prosperity before sitting down with BetaKit editor-in-chief Douglas Soltys to discuss the strategies entrepreneurs should consider to get the wind at their back.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u200bAs AI reasoning becomes commoditized, the real question is who owns the workflows, data, and institutional context that make it useful in the sectors that matter most.<\/p>\n \u200bFutureSight co-founders AI-native companies with repeat founders who own the domain, the workflow, and the data \u2014 in markets where that combination is rare.<\/p>\n
Managing Editor<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Boast_Manufacturing_600-x-300-Gary-Chauhan.jpg\" "\\"Boast_Manufacturing")
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VAN \u2013 Clio expands<\/a> into the US with NYC headquarters
CGY \u2013 SensorUp closes<\/a> growth financing led by Pender Ventures
KW \u2013 Scispot secures<\/a> $8M USD Series A for life sciences research AI
TOR \u2013 Mecka AI announces<\/a> $60M USD to power physical AI
MTL \u2013 Inovia promotes<\/a> Mia Morisset to partner on growth team
MTL \u2013 Pricepoint nabs<\/a> $6.6M CAD for AI hospitality platform
MTL \u2013 BDC extends<\/a> Isabelle Hudon\u2019s mandate as CEO through 2030
MTL \u2013 Montr\u00e9al research hospital opens<\/a> healthtech innovation hub
MTL \u2013 Deep Sky inks<\/a> carbon capture agreement with TD Bank<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/betakit-Rajvi-Virani.png\")
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