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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

Generative AI Tops Canadian IT Priorities for 2025

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A new report from AWS reveals that 89% of Canadian organizations are adopting generative AI tools, with 42% ranking them as their top IT budget priority for 2025. Despite this momentum, only 14 out of 35 AI experiments are expected to reach production due to talent shortages.

Over half of organizations have appointed Chief AI Officers, and most plan to hire or train AI-skilled workers. The study highlights a strong preference for out-of-the-box models and hybrid deployments using internal and third-party expertise. Strategic leadership and workforce preparedness will be key to scaling adoption successfully.

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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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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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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.

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

Sage and AWS Advance AI for SMB Accounting

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Sage has announced new strides in its collaboration with Amazon Web Services, accelerating AI innovation for small and mid-sized businesses. By leveraging AWS tools like Bedrock and AI chips Trainium and Inferentia, Sage has deployed accounting-focused LLMs and SLMs to improve compliance, automate workflows, and enhance financial decision-making.

Key updates include Sage Copilot’s real-time assistance, AI-powered semantic search, and new models ensuring response accuracy. With domain-specific AI tuned to SMB needs, Sage is helping businesses access trusted insights faster and more intuitively. The partnership underlines a shared commitment to practical, secure, and responsible AI development in the financial space.

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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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