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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

AI Shapes Travel Plans, But Canadians Still Want People

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Artificial intelligence is reshaping Canadian travel planning, but human connection remains paramount, according to Adyen’s 2025 Hospitality Report. The study shows one-third of Canadians use AI assistants to streamline itineraries, yet nearly 90 per cent prefer human interaction at check-ins and bookings.

Adyen Canada’s Sander Meijers highlights the dual expectation: digital convenience paired with personal service. Payments technology underpins this balance, enabling secure, unified commerce while deterring rising fraud. Loyalty programs powered by payment insights further strengthen guest engagement. Meijers says fintech will help future-proof hospitality, blending automation with high-value human service.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Fintech.ca.

Vancouver Legaltech Startup Signs Major Canadian Firm

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Vancouver legaltech startup Walter has added McCarthy Tétrault LLP to its AI Joint Innovation Program, a collaboration with major firms to embed AI into real legal workflows. Walter, founded by entrepreneur Ryan Wilson, consolidates scattered client records into one “source of truth” for law firms and corporate clients.

Its new AI Agent works natively within Microsoft Word and Outlook, tracking changes, preserving formatting, and drafting reply emails. McCarthy Tétrault is co-designing features, testing them inside live matters, and building governance frameworks around risk and compliance. The initiative emphasizes practical deployment and trusted adoption over theoretical or flashy demonstrations.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Techcouver.

Canadian Media Battle OpenAI in Copyright Showdown

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Canadian publishers have accused OpenAI of breaching copyright law by using millions of articles to train ChatGPT, launching a lawsuit in Ontario Superior Court. Plaintiffs include Torstar, Postmedia, The Globe and Mail, CBC/Radio-Canada, and The Canadian Press, which allege unauthorized use of more than ten million works since 2015.

They seek damages up to $20,000 per work, plus profits and an injunction. OpenAI contends the case belongs under U.S. copyright law, arguing its activities occur outside Ontario. The hearing begins today, marking Canada’s first major AI copyright suit.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on BetaKit.

Ottawa Memo Reveals EV Rebate Shortfall Known Weeks Early

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Internal documents show Ottawa knew Canada’s EV purchase incentive could run out of money weeks before it collapsed in January. A Dec. 18 memo to then-transport minister Anita Anand warned that a surge of applications could deplete funds by early 2025, yet dealerships weren’t alerted until Jan. 10.

Within two days, the program was drained, largely by Tesla, which claimed $43 million. The delay left many dealerships scrambling to secure reimbursements, creating what industry critics called a “chaotic and inequitable” end. Ottawa has pledged to revive the subsidy, but questions linger over design flaws and communication failures.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on The Logic.

Ultimarii Aims to Modernize Canada’s Regulatory Bottlenecks

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Calgary-based Ultimarii has raised $5.2 million to speed Canada’s major infrastructure approvals. Co-founded by entrepreneur Josh Malate, formerly of Athennian, and ex-Alberta minister Doug Schweitzer, the startup deploys AI to analyze thousands of regulatory filings, assess feasibility in minutes, and flag risks that often cause delays.

Ultimarii already counts 20 enterprise clients, including national law firms and utilities. Investors include Staircase Ventures, Alpaca VC, and Scale Good Fund, alongside support from Alberta Innovates, IRAP, and OCIF. With senior advisors from Canada’s energy regulatory ranks, Ultimarii says it can modernize approval processes critical for ports, energy corridors, and nuclear power.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Calgary.tech.

Float Launches Canada’s First Fintech-Built Business Account

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Toronto-based fintech Float has launched Float Business Accounts, touted as Canada’s first fintech-built business account offering zero fees, market-leading 4% interest, CDIC insurance, and instant liquidity. Founded in 2019, Float began with corporate expense management tools before expanding into yield accounts, bill pay, and reimbursements.

Its new accounts integrate with Float’s existing cards and software, creating a unified financial platform. Backed by $120 million in funding, including a $70 million Series B led by Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Float aims to modernize small-business banking. CEO Rob Khazzam says Canadian firms “don’t have to compromise” between speed, cost, and security.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Fintech.ca.

Postal-Code Snapshots Bridge Net-Zero Confusion

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Canada’s clean-energy transition faces a “last-mile” challenge as households and businesses remain unsure about costs, incentives, and providers. Vancouver entrepreneur Arshia Jahangiri founded Solenery to close that gap. The AI-powered platform delivers postal-code snapshots showing projected costs, eligible rebates, and savings, then connects users to vetted installers and financing.

Jahangiri, who filed a rooftop energy patent at 15 and has now raised $750,000 in seed funding, believes simplifying decisions will accelerate installations nationwide. Providers also benefit through lower soft costs and qualified leads. Solenery’s pilots and Knowledge Hub are already live, with expansion planned across provinces.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on CleanEnergy.ca.

MDA Loses $1.8B Satellite Deal as SpaceX Steps In

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Brampton-based MDA Space has lost a $1.8-billion CAD contract with U.S. telecom EchoStar after the latter abruptly terminated the agreement. MDA was set to design and build over 100 satellites for EchoStar’s low-earth-orbit direct-to-device constellation, with options potentially raising the deal to $3.5 billion.

EchoStar’s reversal followed its decision to sell wireless spectrum to Elon Musk’s SpaceX for US$17 billion in stock and cash. MDA emphasized that the termination was unrelated to its performance and confirmed it will be compensated for costs. Shares in MDA fell 20 percent Monday, though the firm maintains a $4.6-billion project backlog.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on BetaKit.

Calgary Startup Purelend Targets Mortgage Paperwork Pain

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Three Calgary entrepreneurs have launched Purelend Technologies, a startup aiming to modernize Canada’s mortgage industry. Founders Wayne Kainu, Lucas Scheer, and Sebastien Hiscock say their AI-powered platform automates document-heavy tasks that have long plagued brokers and lenders. Purelend streamlines income verification, compliance checks, and audit trails, reducing hours of manual work to minutes.

Kainu, formerly with fintech leader Neo, credits that experience with shaping Purelend’s growth mindset. With core values of speed, precision, and customer-first design, the company promises lenders faster approvals and borrowers quicker access to funds. Purelend seeks to redefine mortgage processing through practical automation.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Calgary.tech.

Canadian Investors Back Fiat-Backed Digital Currency Initiative

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Calgary-based Tetra Digital Group has raised $10 million to develop Canada’s first stablecoin backed by fiat currency. Investors include Wealthsimple, Purpose Unlimited, Shakepay, ATB Financial, National Bank, Shopify, and Urbana. The stablecoin, slated to launch in 2026, will be fully backed by Canadian dollars and secured through Tetra’s institutional-grade custody platform.

CEO Didier Lavallée said the initiative represents a milestone for Canadian financial sovereignty, uniting established institutions and fintech leaders. Founded in 2019, Tetra operates Tetra Trust, Canada’s first licensed digital asset custodian, and has worked with Coinbase, Coinsquare, and Figment.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Fintech.ca.