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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

HR Leaders Brace for Massive AI-Driven Redeployment

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Salesforce’s latest study reveals that HR leaders anticipate a 327% increase in AI agent adoption by 2027, with 23% of workers expected to be redeployed as digital labor transforms the workplace. The global survey of 200 CHROs highlights plans to reskill 81% of employees for roles better suited to an AI-powered economy.

While just 15% of companies have fully implemented agentic AI, HR leaders expect major productivity gains and cost savings. Soft skills and AI literacy will become increasingly vital, with HR leaders forecasting a hybrid future where human employees and digital agents collaborate across all sectors.

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Salesforce Debuts AI Assistant for HR Support

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Salesforce has unveiled Agentforce for HR Service, a new AI-driven solution designed to streamline employee support and reduce the burden on HR teams. Embedded in Slack and the Employee Portal, Agentforce enables workers to perform tasks such as updating personal information, requesting time off, and submitting expenses through natural language conversations.

Salesforce reports a 96% self-service resolution rate within its own HR team. With customizable capabilities, Agentforce integrates with HRIS systems, automates case tracking, and escalates sensitive issues to human reps. The new offering promises greater productivity and efficiency amid widespread HR staffing shortages.

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Carney Urged to Harmonize Trade, Stabilize Housing

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With Mark Carney elected Prime Minister amid rising U.S. tariffs, Canada has a timely opportunity to advance interprovincial harmonization. Writing as Bōde CEO and Invest Alberta Council Director, Robert Price argues that eliminating internal trade barriers could offset U.S.-driven housing cost increases of 4.7% to 6.3%.

Harmonized regulations would boost labor mobility, lower construction costs, and attract private investment—strengthening Canada’s real estate market and economic resilience. International models like the EU show harmonization can ease affordability and drive innovation. With housing shortages and tariff pressure mounting, Price urges immediate federal action to unify Canada’s fragmented regulatory landscape.

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Canadian CEOs Lead AI Push, Struggle to Scale

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Canadian CEOs are aggressively pursuing AI adoption, with 72% actively implementing AI agents—outpacing the global average of 61%, according to IBM’s 2025 CEO Study. Despite this enthusiasm, only 14% of Canadian AI initiatives have scaled successfully, and just 27% have delivered expected ROI. Leaders cite data integration and workforce readiness as key challenges.

Vancouver International Airport is spotlighted for embedding AI across operations, including digital twins and AI assistants. IBM Canada’s Rob Wilmot says the focus must now shift from ambition to execution. CEOs are prioritizing upskilling and risk-taking to drive productivity and long-term competitive advantage.

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Vancouver Startup Delivers Fuel, Data to Fleets

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FuelSrv, a Vancouver-based startup founded in 2019 by aerospace engineer Tyler Reyno, is transforming commercial fuelling with direct-to-vehicle service and real-time routing technology. Beginning with a self-built truck and a drive from Ontario, Reyno’s venture now serves fleets across Vancouver and Edmonton.

Clients include construction firms, municipalities, and Evo Car Share. FuelSrv’s innovations include a GPS-based dispatch platform, fuel analytics dashboard, and carbon offset reporting. The company’s focus on automation and efficiency aims to eliminate downtime from fuel runs while supporting the adoption of renewable diesel. FuelSrv is redefining fleet operations through Canadian-built technology and service.

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B.C. Tech Sector Takes Global Stage at Web Summit

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British Columbia will showcase over 300 tech companies, including 250 startups, at Web Summit Vancouver from May 27–30. Held at the Vancouver Convention Centre, the global event is expected to draw thousands of tech leaders, investors, and media.

With support from a $14.8 million public investment, and an anticipated $93 million economic impact in 2025 alone, the event highlights B.C.’s $55.5 billion tech sector. The new Naturally Innovative Alliance is coordinating efforts to boost global awareness, host delegations, and promote investment. The BC Pavilion and insider investor tours will spotlight cleantech, life sciences, and digital media innovations.

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CCI Urges Ottawa to Make Innovation a Cabinet Priority

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The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) has released A Mandate to Innovate, a policy report urging Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new cabinet to prioritize innovation-driven economic growth. The document offers recommendations to 12 ministries and calls for an independent innovation agency, talent attraction, procurement reform, and innovation in core sectors.

CCI warns that Canada’s economic stagnation and declining productivity demand urgent action. Citing security and sovereignty concerns amid U.S. trade tensions, the report calls on government to become a better customer and champion of domestic innovation. The framework builds on feedback from 150 Canadian tech CEOs.

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Exterra Raises $20M to Reclaim Asbestos Waste

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Montréal cleantech firm Exterra has raised $20 million in Series A funding to scale its technologies for turning asbestos mine waste into valuable materials and carbon storage assets. Backed by Clean Energy Ventures, BDC Capital, and Investissement Québec, Exterra plans to build the world’s largest asbestos tailings mitigation plant by 2027.

Its process extracts minerals like nickel and magnesium oxide, then converts them into carbon-sequestering compounds. With operations planned in Québec’s historic asbestos towns, the project combines industrial reuse, emissions reduction, and economic revitalization. The company’s carbon credits are already spoken for by Frontier Climate and MaRS.

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Calgary Lands Canada’s First XPRIZE Hub

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Calgary has been named home to Canada’s first XPRIZE Hub, hosted by the University of Calgary and supported by a $1.5 million investment from the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund. The hub will serve as a national innovation centre aligned with global counterparts in Glasgow and Geneva.

XPRIZE, renowned for breakthrough competitions in space and climate, will use the Calgary hub to foster Canadian entrepreneurship, research, and collaboration. The four-year agreement aims to support startups, train innovators, and host global events—advancing Calgary’s role as Canada’s innovation capital and deepening its impact on the global stage.

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AI-First Mandate Leads to Major Layoffs at OpenText

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Kitchener-Waterloo’s OpenText is eliminating 1,600 more jobs as part of its expanded global “business optimization plan,” citing a shift to AI-first operations. CEO Mark Barrenechea described AI adoption as a “baseline expectation,” stating that the company conducted a “deep analysis” of roles that could be replaced by machines.

The total net reduction now stands at 2,000 jobs. OpenText, which employs over 23,000 globally, plans to rehire 1,000 people into high-impact roles with AI capabilities. Executives claim the move will generate up to $550 million USD in annual savings. AI will now influence hiring, performance, and resource allocation decisions.

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