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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

Canada’s Real-Time Rail Nears Testing Phase

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Canada’s long-anticipated Real-Time Rail (RTR) payment system is nearing completion, with testing expected to begin in approximately two months, according to Payments Canada. The non-profit, responsible for the country’s payments infrastructure, began work on RTR in 2015.

Delays have plagued the project, with critics alleging that large banks—dominant members of Payments Canada—used their influence to stall progress and block competition. Payments Canada denies the claim. With core infrastructure nearly ready, attention shifts to urging banks and fintechs to prepare for integration. RTR promises instant money transfers between bank accounts, ushering in faster, more accessible digital payments.

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

Telus Boosts Dividend Amid Strong Earnings

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Telus posted $301 million in net income this quarter, more than doubling last year’s result. The Vancouver-based telecom added over 1.1 million subscriptions across its service lines, prompting a 7% dividend increase to $1.67 annually. While average revenue per mobile user declined, customer growth—particularly for unlimited North America plans—strengthened performance.

Telus Health and Telus Digital also contributed rising revenue. The results come in stark contrast to Bell’s, which cut its dividend by over 50% to manage debt. Telus’s diversified strategy appears to be cushioning it against industry pressures and securing long-term shareholder value.

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D-Wave Stock Surges on Quantum Computer Sale

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Burnaby-based D-Wave saw its stock soar 51.2% Thursday following first-quarter results that showed US$15 million in revenue—a 509% year-over-year increase. The gain was largely driven by the sale of a quantum computer to a German research centre. Despite posting a US$5.4 million loss, the firm maintains US$304.3 million in cash reserves, providing runway toward profitability.

CEO Alan Baratz defended the company’s progress amid skepticism over quantum’s maturity, asserting its systems are already addressing business needs. Future orders total US$1.6 million. The firm’s share price returned to March highs following a prior technology breakthrough announcement.

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Clio Report Charts New Legal Practice Trends

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Clio has released its 2025 Legal Trends for Solo and Small Law Firms report, offering a detailed look at shifting legal practice dynamics. AI adoption remains cautious: only 8% of solo and 4% of small firms have integrated AI widely. Still, 80% anticipate greater use ahead. Flat fees are rising—used by 75% of solo firms—though hourly billing persists.

Digital intake tools drive higher revenue and lead conversion, yet underinvestment is limiting growth. Cloud software usage is high but solo firms lag in spending. Strategic adoption of technology and pricing models will be essential for long-term sustainability.

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Amilia Raises $35M to Expand Recreation Software

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Montreal-based Amilia has raised $35 million to expand its management and payment software platform for community and recreation organizations. The round was led by Vertu Capital, with continued support from Export Development Canada, the Canadian Business Growth Fund, and Investissement Québec.

Amilia supports over 6,600 locations—including YMCAs, JCCs, and city recreation departments—serving over one million participants and processing nearly $1 billion in transactions annually. CEO Hugo Lachance says the funding will accelerate product innovation and strengthen services for nonprofits and public sector clients. Vertu’s Eric Kafka will join Amilia’s board to support its next growth phase.

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

Active Impact Closes $110M Climate Tech Fund

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Vancouver’s Active Impact Investments has closed its third fund at $110 million, making it Canada’s largest climate tech seed fund. With over $180 million in assets under management, the firm will invest in 25 early-stage companies, primarily in Canada. Co-anchored by Northleaf Capital Partners and Fondaction, Fund III has already backed Jetson, Skyward, RIPTK, and ThinkLabs AI.

Founder Mike Winterfield cited strong Canadian public policy and talent as key drivers. The fund supports startups delivering emissions reductions and cost savings. Active, founded in 2018, has invested in nearly 40 companies and achieved seven exits to date.

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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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