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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

RBC

RBC and Canadian Tire Forge Loyalty Partnership

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Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC) have announced a long-term strategic partnership linking Avion Rewards with Triangle Rewards, two of Canada’s most prominent loyalty programs. Starting in 2026, eligible RBC cardholders will earn Canadian Tire Money faster when shopping at CTC banners like SportChek, Mark’s, and Canadian Tire, while unlocking exclusive offers through Avion.

The collaboration aims to grow Triangle Rewards’ 12 million-member base and drive retail sales. Executives from both companies say the alliance creates a “loyalty powerhouse,” offering Canadians enhanced rewards, savings, and daily value across both platforms.

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

RBC Introduces Mobile Mortgage Renewals

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RBC is modernizing its mortgage renewal process, allowing eligible clients to renew through the RBC Mobile app in minutes. Previously, renewals required an Advisor, but growing demand for digital banking spurred the shift. RBC’s mobile user base has surged 69% since before the pandemic, with app sessions up 139%, according to SVP Rami Thabet.

The bank also launched an online mortgage application tracking platform. Janet Boyle, RBC’s SVP of Home Equity Finance, emphasized the move’s goal of reducing stress and increasing transparency. This shift aligns with broader Big Bank fintech adoption, as RBC competes with digital-first firms.

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

Cohere Launches AI System with RBC as First Client

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Toronto-based AI leader Cohere has unveiled its North platform, allowing businesses to build AI-powered assistants for tasks like research and customer service. North integrates Cohere’s large language models (LLMs) with clients’ systems, offering security-focused AI solutions tailored for business.

RBC, the platform’s first marquee client, will use North for internal staff applications. Cohere touts its superior accuracy compared to Google and Microsoft, emphasizing ease of integration into existing workflows. President Martin Kon aims to demonstrate the potential of AI to corporate Canada, which he has criticized for being slow to adopt advanced technology.

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

AI Boom Tests Canada’s Power Grid and Emissions Goals

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Artificial intelligence is driving economic growth in Canada but poses serious challenges to its electricity grid, according to RBC’s Shaz Merwat. AI operations like ChatGPT consume immense energy, with data centers potentially requiring 14% of Canada’s power by 2030. This expansion could add 3% to annual emissions, despite Canada’s clean energy resources.

Constructing 20–30 new data centers represents a $100 billion opportunity, but balancing growth with sustainability is key. Investments in carbon capture technology and regulatory alignment with the U.S. could mitigate risks. Supporting SMEs in adopting AI is also crucial to boosting productivity while maintaining environmental commitments.

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

Canadian Banks Lead in AI Adoption, RBC Ranks Third Globally

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Canadian banks are leading the world in artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, with all five of the country’s major lenders ranked in the top 25 of a global AI maturity report by London-based Evident. For the second year, Canada has held the highest overall regional score, ahead of the U.S.

RBC ranked third globally for AI maturity, driven by its Borealis Institute for AI research. TD Bank entered the top 10, moving from 11th to 9th, while CIBC improved significantly, jumping from 41st to 22nd due to better transparency in managing AI risks.

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