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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

Alberta’s AI Data Centre Levy Prompts Calls for Clarity

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Alberta’s new two per cent levy on data centre hardware has sparked concern from industry players seeking clarity on its implementation. Announced by the provincial government last week, the levy will apply to centres of 75 megawatts or more connected to the grid by late 2026.

Executives warn the measure could delay investment, particularly for AI facilities with high-value hardware. “Things like this cause people to press ‘pause’,” said eStruxture CEO Todd Coleman, whose firm is building a 90-megawatt Calgary site. Amazon Web Services and Sovereign Digital Infrastructure also confirmed they are awaiting details before proceeding.

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

Telus to Reacquire Telus Digital in $539M Deal

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Telus is buying back full control of Telus Digital after raising its offer by 32 percent, the Vancouver-based telecom confirmed. The company will now pay US$4.50 per share—up from US$3.40—spending a total of US$539 million. Telus Digital, spun out in a 2021 IPO that raised US$1.06 billion, provides outsourcing and technology services, including AI datasets and call centres.

CEO Darren Entwistle said the reacquisition restores “closer operational proximity” to key digital expertise. With minority shareholder EQT supporting the deal, Telus expects the transaction to close by year’s end, bringing the unit fully back under parent company ownership.

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

Ottawa Funds 500 New EV Chargers Across B.C.

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Pacific Economic Development Canada will invest $22 million to install nearly 500 electric vehicle chargers across British Columbia. Spread across eight projects, the initiative will add chargers along highways, in public areas, workplaces, and residential buildings.

The funding, announced by Minister Gregor Robertson, is intended to combat range anxiety and support federal and provincial mandates requiring 100% of vehicle sales to be electric by 2035. Despite more than $1 billion spent nationally on charging infrastructure since 2016, EV adoption in B.C. remains modest: just 3% of vehicles are electric, with sales dropping from 22% in 2023 to 13% today.

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

Calgary’s Aerospace Innovation Hub Names Challenge Winners

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Innovate Calgary has announced the winners of its Soaring Higher Innovation Challenge, launched earlier this year in partnership with WestJet and Calgary Airports. The competition sought technologies to improve the air travel experience, drawing global applicants.

Two startups emerged victorious: U.S.-based RozieAI Journey, which unifies fragmented travel data into a personalized, journey-aware dashboard for passengers, and Calgary’s Shift AI, which delivers real-time fleet tracking and predictive insights to boost operational efficiency. Winners receive membership at the Aerospace Innovation Hub, mentorship, and continued collaboration with WestJet and Calgary Airports. The Hub was established in 2023 with $4 million from OCIF.

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

Tim Hortons to Add EV Chargers at 100 Locations

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Tim Hortons will deploy electric vehicle fast chargers at 100 restaurants nationwide by 2028 through a partnership with Quebec-based FLO, a leading North American EV charging company. The rollout, targeting all 10 provinces, will make Tim Hortons Canada’s largest restaurant provider of fast charging.

The first site opened in Regina this month, with up to 13 more expected by year’s end and 50 by 2026. FLO’s Ultra chargers deliver up to 120 kilometres of range in 10 minutes, supported by Canada Infrastructure Bank funding. Executives say the initiative will help make EV charging a routine part of daily travel.

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Canada’s Largest AI Event to Host 6,000 Attendees

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ALL IN, Canada’s largest artificial intelligence conference, has released its official program for 2025. The event, an initiative of SCALE AI in collaboration with Mila, will convene more than 6,000 participants from nearly 40 countries on September 24–25 at Montréal’s Palais des congrès.

The program features 200 speakers across four stages, a showcase of Canada’s top 100 AI startups, and themed pavilions on infrastructure and cybersecurity. Demonstrations of real-world AI applications, workshops, and an AgriTech AI Challenge will also be presented. Companies including Ada, Cohere, Airbus, and NVIDIA will participate, underscoring Canada’s growing role in global AI leadership.

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Cohere Transitions as Valuation Hits USD $6.8B

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Cohere president Martin Kon is stepping down from his role weeks after the Toronto-based AI company raised US$500 million at a US$6.8-billion valuation. Kon, who joined from YouTube in 2023, will remain on the board and serve as senior advisor, according to Cohere. He helped lead three major funding rounds, securing more than US$1.5 billion.

Cohere recently announced leadership changes, including the appointment of former Meta research head Joelle Pineau as chief AI officer, Francois Chadwick as CFO, and Phil Blunsom as CTO. The company sells large language models and agent systems to major global enterprises.

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

Canada’s Tech Freeze Hits Entry-Level Roles Hardest

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Canada’s technology sector continues to face a hiring freeze, with entry-level workers most affected, according to new data from Indeed Hiring Lab. Postings for junior and standard tech roles are down 25% from early 2020, while senior and managerial positions are five percent above pre-pandemic levels.

The downturn follows a surge in 2022 that collapsed as interest rates rose. Economist Brendon Bernard says employers are prioritizing experienced hires in uncertain markets. Still, demand persists for roles in artificial intelligence and data infrastructure. Experts urge early-career candidates to focus on upskilling, internships, and contract work to navigate shifting opportunities.

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

Wealthsimple Acquires Fey to Enhance Trading Platform

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Wealthsimple has acquired Fey, a Montreal-based investing platform known for AI-driven tools and user-focused design. Founded in 2021, Fey offers earnings analysis, natural language stock screening, and personalized news feeds. These capabilities will be integrated into Wealthsimple’s platform, enhancing trading for millions of clients.

Company executives say the acquisition will balance accessibility with advanced functionality, meeting the needs of both novice and experienced investors. Fey co-founder Thiago Costa emphasized the shared vision of simplifying finance while retaining sophistication. The first Fey-powered features are expected to appear on Wealthsimple by year-end, strengthening Canada’s leading financial services platform.

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

Planetary Secures $31M Deal for Ocean Carbon Removal

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Halifax-based Planetary Technologies has secured more than $31 million in offtake agreements with Frontier Climate to remove 115,000 tons of CO₂ between 2026 and 2030. The deal follows Planetary’s $1M XPRIZE Carbon Removal XFACTOR Award in April and builds on its Series A financing in 2024.

Founded in 2019, Planetary enhances seawater’s natural chemistry by introducing purified alkaline minerals, boosting carbon absorption while reducing ocean acidity. CEO Mike Kelland said the agreement will prove ocean alkalinity enhancement can operate safely at scale. Frontier was launched by firms including Stripe, Alphabet, and Shopify to fund permanent carbon removal solutions.

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