Canadian Internet Governance Forum 2025
Canada on the world stage
About CIGF
1
Executive summary
2
Discussion insights and priorities
3
Conclusion
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Agenda
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Presenting sponsor
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The Canadian Internet Governance Forum (CIGF) is Canada’s premier multi-stakeholder forum for digital policy dialogue, dedicated to fostering open conversations about the most pressing public policy issues facing the internet. The CIGF is a recognized national initiative of the United Nations-convened global Internet Governance Forum (IGF). Since 2019, CIGF has convened hundreds of stakeholders—both virtually and in-person—from government, civil society, academia, the private sector and the technical community to tackle a wide range of issues and identify solutions grounded in common Canadian values.    

Each year, the CIGF reports on the national priorities identified by the Canadian internet community. The findings are submitted to the IGF Secretariat and shared at National and Regional Initiative (NRI) sessions hosted at the global IGF, as well as among domestic decision-makers.

2025

All-Hands Committee

CIGF is driven by a multi-stakeholder All-hands committee. 2025 members include:

Executive summary

On November 13, 2025, the Canadian Internet Governance Forum (CIGF) brought together a diverse set of stakeholders at The Collaboration Centre in downtown Ottawa to discuss the most pressing issues in internet governance.

Under the theme Canadian leadership through change, conference participants explored the myriad ways in which Canada can continue to evolve internet governance in a direction that reflects Canadian values at a moment when disruptive economic forces, transformative technological change and geopolitics are significantly reshaping the global internet landscape.

This report focuses on drawing out the common threads between the insights and recommendations put forward in different sessions. It outlines priorities for Canadian businesses, governments, technical operators, civil society groups, academics and end-users involved with internet governance domestically and abroad.

In multiple discussions, panelists reflected on the importance of building a sovereign digital future for Canada, exploring both challenges and possible solutions. While Canada has the potential to lead in this area through targeted investment in Canadian innovation and strategic partnerships with like-minded countries, Canada’s outdated privacy laws were singled out as a significant obstacle standing in the way of progress.

The continued advancement of artificial intelligence technology and the opportunities and challenges it presents was another recurring theme. Panelists discussed the future of AI governance, emphasizing the need to strike a careful balance between harnessing the transformative power of AI for innovation and protecting the rights of Canadians and Canadian organizations across all sectors. Participants also heard about the close connection between AI governance and Canadian digital sovereignty, as well as the ways cybercriminals are exploiting AI to launch increasingly sophisticated and damaging attacks against Canadian organizations, many of which are not adequately prepared to defend themselves.

Speakers also discussed the multistakeholder model for internet governance, taking the opportunity to reflect on the effectiveness of this approach ahead of the WSIS+20 review.1 While acknowledging challenges with the current model, panelists reaffirmed the view that multistakeholderism delivers better outcomes than models led solely by multilateral institutions.

CIGF 2025 was livestreamed and proceedings in English can be found on the Canadian IGF YouTube channel. 

Discussion insights and priorities

Building a sovereign digital future for Canada

The critical importance of Canadian digital sovereignty was a recurring theme explored in a dedicated panel at CIGF 2025 and in numerous conversations throughout the day. Facing a future marked by geopolitical uncertainty and the rapid acceleration of transformational technologies, including quantum computing and AI, participants heard that Canada needs to chart a path forward that protects our data, privacy and values, while ensuring that we remain connected to the global digital ecosystem.

As outlined in the Government of Canada’s white paper on digital sovereignty (published November 2025), digital sovereignty is defined as Canada’s ability to set and enforce rules governing its digital infrastructure, data and intellectual property. However, panelists stressed that achieving this goal is far more complex than simply determining where data is hosted and who controls it. Where the data is processed, how it moves, who can lawfully access it and under which regulatory rules and frameworks are all essential components of the digital sovereignty equation.

While panelists expressed broad agreement on many of the core elements of digital sovereignty, including infrastructure, data and the technology ecosystem, they highlighted the significant challenges Canada must overcome to secure its sovereign digital future.

Participants heard that privacy is a foundational pillar of digital sovereignty, as it determines who controls data, according to which rules, and in whose interests. It was also identified as an area where Canada is falling short with outdated privacy laws that are ill-equipped to address the unique challenges posed by today’s complex technology ecosystem. Panelists also noted that Canadians’ understanding of digital sovereignty remains limited, making meaningful engagement in public policy decisions and informed participation in the digital economy difficult.

Canada has an opportunity to lead in digital sovereignty but this will require practical, coordinated action. Success depends on building on our technical, legal and industrial capabilities while bringing all stakeholders to the table to devise realistic solutions to mitigate the many risks. This process will involve backing Canadian innovation to build our digital capacity and capabilities, collaborating with like-minded partners in other jurisdictions and striking a delicate balance between retaining control over critical digital assets and rules, while remaining open, competitive and interconnected globally on Canadian terms.

Key takeaways

  • Digital sovereignty is a strategic priority for Canada amid geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological change

  • Canada must overcome significant challenges to secure its sovereign digital future, including outdated privacy laws and limited public awareness

  • Digital sovereignty extends beyond location and data ownership to include how data is processed, transferred and governed under legal and regulatory frameworks

  • Canada has an opportunity to lead in digital sovereignty with practical, coordinated action, including strengthening innovation and capacity and collaborating with like-minded partners

Cybersecurity in Canada

Cybersecurity in Canada was the subject of a panel discussion and featured in discussions among CIGF participants throughout the day. Canada’s cybersecurity environment continues to change at unprecedented speed, driven by advancements in AI, post-quantum computing and the commercialization of sophisticated new cyber tools, among other factors. The velocity of these changes is outpacing preparedness across industry, government and civil society, demanding new approaches, tactics and greater levels of collaboration to protect Canadians and Canadian critical infrastructure.

Canada faces an increasingly hostile environment. State-based adversaries are engaging in espionage activities, pre-positioning themselves to set up disruptive activities in the future or launching active disruptions now. Ransomware-as-a-service continues to expand, along with crypto-based payment systems, which allow attackers to hide their real-world identities. At the same time, a variety of powerful AI-driven digital tools are enabling highly sophisticated attacks and dramatically lowering barriers to entry for cybercriminals. In addition, evidence suggests that Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon, which are associated with China-based advanced persistent threat (APT) groups, are now persistent in telecom networks in the U.S. and elsewhere.

The commercialization of mercenary spyware, such as Paragon, is another key development in the cybersecurity landscape, giving bad actors the ability to compromise even the most highly secured devices and gain total visibility into a user’s digital footprint, locations and communications. Paragon is associated with new spyware abuses against civil society and journalists in Italy, continuing a troubling pattern of spyware abuse in democratic countries. Panelists highlighted recent research that suggests Canadian-based services may be customers within the mercenary spyware ecosystem.

Participants also heard that a significant portion of Canada’s cybersecurity risk now resides in the private sector, particularly in telecommunications networks and other critical infrastructure, making it more challenging for government to effectively address threats that exist outside public sector control.

To strengthen Canada’s security posture in this dynamic environment, Canada has introduced a new cybersecurity bill (C-8), which imposes new obligations on organizations in critical infrastructure sectors, including mandatory cybersecurity programs and a 72-hour incident reporting requirement.2

While this bill represents an important step forward, panelists highlighted the importance of giving organizations sufficient lead time to prepare for new obligations, continuing to create a culture of reporting rather than one driven by fear of penalties, and ensuring that organizations don’t experience data fatigue as a result of excessive or overlapping reporting requirements.

To address the many challenges, Canada must focus on improving training and awareness across sectors, expanding access to modern cybersecurity tools, strengthening collaboration between government, industry and civil society, and modernizing oversight frameworks to reflect current technological realities.

Key takeaways

  • Canada’s cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly with threats outpacing preparedness across every sector

  • The threat environment is increasingly hostile, driven by factors that include the commercialization of mercenary spyware, ransomware-as-a-service and AI-enabled attacks

  • Strengthening Canada’s security posture requires coordinated action, including improved training and AI tools, balanced and practical regulatory implementation and stronger collaboration between government, private sector and civil society

AI governance: the next frontier for digital policy

As Canada continues to advance its AI governance strategy, it must strike a careful balance between harnessing the transformative potential of AI to drive innovation and ensuring robust digital protections to safeguard public trust and best serve national interests. There was broad agreement on this among thought leaders who participated in the dedicated panel, and CIGF participants continued to discuss AI governance during conversations throughout the event.

At a foundational level, Canada’s AI governance framework rests on three key pillars: data, people and power. Canada must assert itself as an effective and responsible steward of data, while also creating an environment in which people can build and augment AI-related skills to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven economy. At the same time, thoughtful discussions are required to build Canada’s digital resilience, while exercising power and influence globally through technocratic cooperation with our key allies.

As AI continues to evolve rapidly, it’s critical for the multistakeholder community to move beyond a monolithic view of the technology and instead assess its diverse sectoral applications, use cases and technologies individually. Using this approach, the specific impacts and risks of each can be used to create appropriate mitigation measures.

Participants heard that AI governance is closely linked to digital sovereignty, with panelists discussing many innovative ways Canada can promote its sovereignty through effective regulation and by leading in carefully targeted areas of AI development. Acknowledging that no country can own the entire AI supply chain, panelists emphasized the importance of making strategic AI investment choices that will position Canada for leadership within specific domains. Examples discussed include the development of AI models that leverage Canada’s diverse health data sets, as well as the creation of resilient backup frameworks to protect Canadians against potential foreign restrictions on cloud access or advanced AI models.

The discussion also highlighted Canada’s “AI trust gap” which has thus far limited widespread AI adoption, according to independent research. To bridge this gap, panelists pointed to the urgency of implementing programs that increase AI adoption by individuals and organizations in the public and private sectors, while fostering a culture that enables a new generation of breakthrough AI innovators.

As Canada continues to evolve its AI governance framework and make informed choices about where its focus will be in the global AI ecosystem, panelists argued that careful consideration should also be given to the ways in which the chosen approach reflects and promotes Canada’s democratic values, including openness, tolerance and pluralism, globally.

Key takeaways

  • Canada must balance AI innovation with strong safeguards to maintain trust and global partnerships

  • Successful AI governance requires responsible data stewardship, AI skills development, digital resilience and strategic global cooperation

  • A targeted, sector-specific approach to AI governance is essential, with strategic investment in Canada’s areas of strength to enhance digital sovereignty and global leadership

  • Canada’s “AI trust gap” can be closed through increased adoption, innovation and policies that promote democratic values

Towards WSIS+20

In the lead up to WSIS+20 in December 2025, the twenty-year review of the UN’s first World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), CIGF participants took the opportunity to reflect on lessons learned since the inaugural summit and examine the relevance of the multistakeholder model in an era defined by fragmented platforms and rapidly shifting geopolitics.3

WSIS+20 represents an important opportunity to reaffirm and strengthen the multistakeholder model of internet governance, which brings together the technical community, government, the private sector, civil society and academia to facilitate dialogue to ensure the internet remains free, open and interoperable.

Across multiple sessions, participants heard that the global internet is at a critical moment. No longer just a communications network, the internet represents an arena where economics, technology and geopolitics collide. This presents challenges for the multistakeholder community to prove its worth, especially as governments increasingly seek to assert control in the name of sovereignty through the multilateral UN process.

Despite these challenges, panelists reaffirmed the view that multistakeholderism delivers better outcomes—faster, more credible and more effective—than models led solely by multilateral institutions. In a Canadian context, participants heard that the Canadian government depends on consultations with the Canadian multistakeholder community to shape its WSIS negotiating positions. A key objective during these negotiations is to maintain multistakeholderism as a core element of the process.

At the same time, panelists cautioned against an overly narrow focus on internet governance that risks overlooking broader issues, including technology transfer, data, AI and related issues. They also stressed the importance of not losing sight of the broader WSIS vision of harnessing information technologies for development, including connectivity, capacity building, financial mechanisms, and building confidence and security in the use of these technologies.

The discussion also touched on the importance of bringing the Global South into the WSIS process as well as ongoing efforts of the Young Digital Leaders of Canada and other groups to advocate for youth to be included as a unique and distinct stakeholder within internet governance.

Key takeaways

  • The internet’s role has expanded beyond communications, deepening the tension between multistakeholder governance and government-led multilateral control

  • Participants emphasized that multistakeholderism delivers more effective outcomes

  • WSIS+20 represents a pivotal moment to assess progress since 2003 and reaffirm and strengthen the multistakeholder model of internet governance

  • Participants advocated for a broader focus on development, AI, data, technology transfer and greater inclusion of both the Global South and youth in internet governance.

Conclusion

There was broad recognition among participants at CIGF 2025 that the internet is at a critical moment. Within today’s complex geopolitical, technological and economic environment, governments are taking steps to assert greater levels of control in the name of sovereignty and challenge the dominant multistakeholder model of internet governance.

In the face of these challenges, keeping the internet free, open and interoperable is critical, and participants reaffirmed that it can only be accomplished by extending and strengthening the current multistakeholder model. Canada and its fellow democracies must continue to work through the WSIS+20 process to strike a balance between being secure and sovereign, but also global and open.

Achieving this balance is central to securing a sovereign digital future for Canada, which will require strengthening our legal, technical and industrial capabilities while remaining globally connected and interoperable on Canadian terms. With advancements in AI continuing to accelerate, it will also involve a concerted effort to close Canada’s AI trust gap and lead through responsible data stewardship and sector-specific approaches to AI risk and innovation.

Across discussions on digital sovereignty, cybersecurity, AI and the future of multistakeholder governance, CIGF 2025 participants consistently emphasized the need for coordinated, pragmatic and values-driven action.

Taken together, CIGF 2025 highlighted a clear path forward. Canada has an opportunity to lead through collaboration, strategic investment and principled governance at a defining moment for the global internet.

AGENDA

  • 9:00 A.M.
  • Welcome to Canadian IGF 2025
    Vass Bednar, The Canadian Shield Institute for Public Policy
  • 9:15 – 9:45 A.M.
  • Keynote 1
    Byron Holland, CIRA
  • 10:50 – 11:00 A.M.
  • Panel 1: Canadian Digital Sovereignty: The Government of Canada’s Digital Agenda

Speakers

  • Duncan Cass- Beggs, Executive Director, Global AI Risks Initiative (Moderator) 
  • Michael Geist, Professor of Law at University of Ottawa 
  • Vass Bednar, Managing Director, Canadian SHIELD Institute for Public Policy 
  • Adiel Akplogan, ICANN
  • Michele Austin, Bell Canada
  • Andre Arbour, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
  • Youth spotlight: Readout from the Youth Internet Governance Forum
    Dana Cramer, Youth IGF Canada
  • 11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
  • Panel 2: Cybersecurity in Canada
  • 1:30 – 2:30 P.M.
  • Panel 3: AI governance: the next frontier for digital policy

Speakers

  • Victoria Kuketz, 2025 Obama Foundation Scholar, Director of Corporate Engagement, Catalyst​ (Moderator)
  • Mark Schaan, Associate Deputy Minister Associate Deputy Minister Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada  
  • Ashley Casovan, Managing Director, IAPP's Governance Center 
  • Jaxson Khan, CEO, Aperture AI 
  • 2:45 - 3:45 P.M.
  • Panel 4: Towards WSIS +20

Speakers

  • Jenna Fung, Senior Campaigner, Open Media (Moderator) 
  • Charles Noir, VP Community Investment, Policy and Advocacy, CIRA  
  • Dana Cramer, Founder, President, and CEO of the Young Digital Leaders of Canada 
  • Isra Rosas, Director of Partnerships and Internet Development, Internet Society 
  • Becky McGilley, Senior Director for Government Engagement Operations, ICANN (virtual) 
  • Kelly Anderson, Director for International Cyber Policy, Global Affairs Canada​ 
  • 3:30 - 5:00 P.M.
  • Townhall: what's on the audiences mind?
    Victoria Kuketz, Catalyst & Public Policy Forum
    Vass Bednar, Canadian Shield Institute
  • 5:00 P.M.
  • Closing Remarks

Presenting sponsor

Thank you to CIRA, the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, for making this event a success. 

 

View the photos from CIGF 2025

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Canadian

IGF

CIGF 2026

What is CIGF

The Canadian Internet Governance Forum (CIGF) is Canada’s premier multistakeholder forum for digital policy dialogue.

  • National initiative: we’re a national initiative of the global, United Nations-led Internet Governance Forum

  • Our mandate: foster bottom-up, inclusive, open, transparent, non-commercial and multistakeholder digital policy dialogue to gather and represent Canadian priorities globally
  • Our mission: give the Canadian internet community a chance to discuss the most pressing public policy issues facing the internet and find common solutions underpinned by shared values 
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What we do

more about CIGF
01
Convene leaders

Convene engaged leaders from governments, the private sector, civil society, academic and technical communities with a diverse set of viewpoints

02
Foster dialogue

Foster digital policy dialogue to identify Canadian priorities based on shared values

03
Represent Canada

Represent Canadian priorities on internet governance and digital policy on the global stage at the United Nations IGF

04
Share information

Complete intersessional work to facilitate information-sharing throughout Canada’s internet community about what’s going on in global internet governance

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WHAT PEOPLE SAY

Topics and speakers were outstanding

Normally ISPs don’t really consider things like “Internet Governance” to be within their purview. This week I attended the Canadian Internet Governance Forum #CIGF2023 in #Montreal and the topics and speakers were outstanding. One of the most interesting discussions was “Canadian communications policy and internet governance” with a really engaged panel. Thanks to #CIGF for putting on a great conference.

Todd Hoffley
Vice President, Policy and Communications, Beanfield 
Fantastic platform

The CIGF2023 was a fantastic platform for knowledge-sharing and collaboration across the public, private, and third sectors. The event brought together diverse perspectives on data governance from these different societal domains. The insightful cross-sector discussions have reinforced our collective commitment to ethical data practices that balance innovation with privacy, sustainability, and social responsibility. 

Cristiano Therrien
Program Manager, Open North  
Brings the right people together

The CIGF brings the right people together to facilitate meaningful conversations. In 2023 I spoke on a panel discussing Canada’s ideal priorities for its G7 presidency, a session that brought together the key person creating that agenda with civil society, academia, and industry stakeholders representing different perspectives. The conversation was public, wide-ranging, and interactive, exemplifying the critical role the CIGF can play in Canada’s digital policy-making. 

Brenda McPhail
Director, Executive Education Program, McMaster University
Essential forum

The CIGF is the essential forum in Canada’s internet policy landscape. It is one of the few spaces dedicated to bringing together a full range of perspectives - government, industry, academic, civil society and consumer - to address the important tech policy issues of the day.

David Fewer
Director, Samuelson-Glushko Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic 
Canada’s multistakeholder voice is heard

The CIGF is important as it convenes an independent community and public perspective on Internet governance issues relevant to Canada and makes sure that Canada’s multistakeholder voice is heard at the global Internet Governance Forum (IGF). 

Nancy Carter
ARIN Board Member 
Meaningful interactions with the audience

The 2023 CIGF was a distinctive occasion for ICANN's North American engagement team to connect with the vibrant Canadian Internet community. ICANN Board Chair, Tripti Sinha, delivered the keynote address and was delighted by the meaningful interactions with the audience. 

ICANN Org.
North American Engagement Team 
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