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Canadian Tech in 100 Words

Trade War on Hold: Canada, U.S. Reach Temporary Truce

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump have reached a 30-day pause on U.S. tariffs after Canada pledged new border security measures. The agreement includes appointing a “fentanyl czar” and investing $200 million in intelligence. While business leaders welcome the delay, many warn of ongoing uncertainty.

Critics, including Unifor and the Council of Canadian Innovators, argue the trade war isn’t over. Meanwhile, Trump aides downplay the dispute, framing it as a border security issue, while Trump himself revives annexation rhetoric. The next deadline looms on March 5, leaving Canada’s economy on edge.

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Ford Cuts $100M Starlink Contract Amid Canada-U.S. Trade War

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Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced a ban on U.S. companies securing provincial contracts, canceling a $100 million deal with Elon Musk’s Starlink. The move follows U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods and energy. Ford cited Musk’s ties to the Trump administration as a factor, echoing calls for broader economic retaliation.

Ontario spends $30 billion annually on procurement, meaning U.S. firms stand to lose billions. The Starlink deal had already faced scrutiny, with critics calling it a costly “sweetheart deal.” The federal government is now considering additional non-tariff measures to counter escalating U.S. trade restrictions.

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OpenAI Unveils ‘Deep Research’ for In-Depth AI Analysis

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OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT deep research, an AI-powered tool designed for complex, in-depth inquiries. Available to Pro users with 100 monthly queries, the feature aims to support finance, science, and policy professionals. Unlike traditional chatbot summaries, deep research provides cited, documented responses after analyzing multiple sources.

Powered by OpenAI’s o3 model, it outperforms competitors but remains prone to errors and misinterpretations. Future updates will introduce visual data outputs and integration with specialized sources. While OpenAI insists deep research enhances AI reliability, concerns persist over accuracy and the ability of users to critically assess AI-generated findings.

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

Shopify CEO Announces ‘Buy Local’ Features Amid Trade War

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Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke is rolling out “buy local” features on the Shop app following Canada’s response to new U.S. tariffs. The move comes after Lütke criticized both governments, arguing that retaliatory tariffs will harm Canadian businesses. The U.S. imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian goods, prompting Canada to mirror the policy.

While Lütke claims Shopify remains unaffected, economists warn of broader economic fallout. Critics, including U of T professor Robert Gillezeau, accuse Lütke of undermining Canada’s stance. Shopify has not disclosed specifics on the new features, set to launch in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.

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Boomi Opens Vancouver Office, Creating Hundreds of Jobs

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Boomi, a leader in intelligent integration and automation, has opened its new Center of Excellence (CoE) in downtown Vancouver’s Bentall Centre. The facility will drive sales, expand strategic operations, and generate hundreds of jobs. Since entering Vancouver in 2023, Boomi has hired nearly 200 employees, with further growth expected.

CEO Steve Lucas highlighted the city’s skilled talent as a key factor in the expansion. Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim welcomed the move, calling it a boost to the local economy. Boomi continues its global expansion, with recent office openings in the U.S., India, Australia, Spain, and Japan.

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Canada Delays Capital Gains Tax Changes to 2026

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The federal government has deferred its proposed capital gains tax hike from June 2024 to January 2026, pushing the contentious policy onto the next administration. Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc said the move ensures stability for Canadians, but critics argue it prolongs uncertainty.

Industry leaders, including the Council of Canadian Innovators and Canadian Venture Capital Association, warn the delay disrupts investment. Meanwhile, legal challenges are mounting against the CRA’s continued enforcement of an unlegislated tax. With an election looming, opposition parties vow to overturn the changes entirely, amplifying frustration among entrepreneurs and investors.

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Luxury Automaker Partners with Li-Cycle for Lithium Recycling

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Toronto’s Li-Cycle has signed an exclusive agreement with a luxury EV manufacturer to recycle lithium-ion battery scrap at its Germany Spoke facility. The automaker, which remains unnamed, will supply Li-Cycle directly from within Germany. CEO Ajay Kochhar emphasized that the deal strengthens Li-Cycle’s role as a preferred partner for sustainable battery recycling.

The company currently works with 13 EV manufacturers and 15 battery producers, reinforcing its industry presence. As EV adoption rises, Li-Cycle is expanding its Spoke & Hub model to support a circular economy and meet growing demand.

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82% of Canadian Firms Using AI in Finance, Beating Global Peers

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AI is transforming finance in Canada, with 82% of organizations integrating AI, outpacing the global average of 71%, according to KPMG’s latest survey. Nearly 70% report AI meets or exceeds ROI expectations. Canadian firms lead in AI adoption for tax management, but implementation remains slow.

A maturity framework identifies 25% of firms as AI leaders, with stronger investment and governance. Data security and talent shortages remain key barriers. As AI use grows, companies seek regulatory guidance, with over half expecting auditors to review AI governance. Experts stress the need for strategic AI adoption to drive enterprise-wide innovation.

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Knead Tech Raises $800K to Combat Food Waste and Insecurity

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Calgary-based Knead Tech has raised $800,000 in pre-seed funding to expand its technology-driven food rescue platform. The round, valuing the startup at $3.5 million, supports U.S. expansion and new partnerships.

Founded by Lourdes Juan, Knead Tech connects surplus food donors with non-profits to reduce waste and fight food insecurity. Backers include ScaleGood, UCEED Social Impact Fund, and BDC Thrive Lab. Since 2022, the startup has recovered over two million pounds of food, preventing 236 metric tons of CO₂ emissions. Knead Tech will also compete at SXSW 2025 in Austin.

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

DeepSeek’s $6M AI Model Just Shook Up the Industry

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A small team of AI researchers has upended the belief that only billion-dollar tech firms can lead artificial intelligence innovation. DeepSeek R1, a foundation model reportedly built for under $6 million, is challenging industry giants OpenAI, Google, and Meta. This breakthrough disproves two key assumptions: that AI dominance requires massive budgets and that more hardware guarantees better models.

AI startup founders, like those at Caseway, see this as validation that efficiency and execution can surpass legacy players in legal tech and beyond. Industry leaders are now on notice—lean AI innovation is here to stay.

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