Madison McLauchlan
@madisonmcla.bsky.social
📤 114
📥 146
📝 71
Reporter at
@betakit.com
/ Tiohtià:ke/Montréal / Views are my own
New:
@mozilla.org
is partnering with
@mila-quebec.bsky.social
to work on open-source AI projects, with an initial $1 million CAD
betakit.com/mila-teams-u...
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Mila teams up with Mozilla to build open-source AI tools | BetaKit
The Firefox maker is investing an initial $1 million into the partnership with Montréal's AI institute.
https://betakit.com/mila-teams-up-with-mozilla-to-build-open-source-ai-tools/
5 days ago
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Canadian software firm OpenText
#$OTEX
employees report job cuts tied to apparent restructuring, via
@alexriehl.com
betakit.com/opentext-emp...
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OpenText employees report job cuts tied to apparent restructuring | BetaKit
The cuts come as former IBM Americas president Ayman Antoun prepares to take over as CEO.
https://betakit.com/opentext-employees-report-job-cuts-tied-to-apparent-restructuring/
6 days ago
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Pretty cool news today for Montréal, Québec, and Canada.
@umontreal.ca
Gilles Brassard was awarded computer science's highest honour for his quantum breakthroughs, alongside longtime collaborator Charles H. Bennett
betakit.com/montreal-com...
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Montréal computer scientist Gilles Brassard wins Turing Award for quantum discoveries | BetaKit
The Université de Montréal professor was honoured alongside US physicist Charles H. Bennett.
https://betakit.com/montreal-computer-scientist-gilles-brassard-wins-turing-award-for-quantum-discoveries/
13 days ago
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reposted by
Madison McLauchlan
Alex Cosh
21 days ago
We functionally do not have a legislated Access to Information system in Canada. Federal departments face zero consequences for simply ignoring the rules. They are effectively allowed to only hand over documents if they feel like it.
www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
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Information commissioner ‘disappointed’ by lack of federal ambition on access reform
Information commissioner says most of the complaints her office receives relate to the failure to respond to applications for documents within legislated timelines.
https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/information-commissioner-disappointed-by-lack-of-federal-ambition-on-access-reform/article_59852fde-54d1-51cd-813c-0bffc8fdef82.html
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Canadian tech advocacy group CCI argues that governments should take a similar 'buy Canadian' approach to
#healthtech
as it did for the Defence Industrial Strategy:
betakit.com/cci-wants-go...
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CCI wants governments to buy more Canadian healthtech | BetaKit
The tech advocacy group urges an overhaul of procurement and data management to support domestic companies.
https://betakit.com/cci-wants-governments-to-buy-more-canadian-healthtech/
29 days ago
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I got to hear from some of the architects and builders of the Fediverse at FediMTL in Montréal yesterday. I learned a ton about decentralized social media and how it's taken on newfound urgency with Canada's push toward digital sovereignty.
betakit.com/can-canada-f...
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Can Canada find digital sovereignty in the Fediverse? | BetaKit
At FediMTL, advocates say growing the social web is vital to combating Big Tech.
https://betakit.com/can-canada-find-digital-sovereignty-in-the-fediverse/
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Madison McLauchlan
Sarah Rieger
about 1 month ago
Talking about the Fediverse often feels like it merits a "stop trying to make fetch happen" response. But at a recent conference in Montréal, advocates said figuring out how to build a decentralized web people will actually use is a must.
betakit.com/can-canada-f...
by
@madisonmcla.bsky.social
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Can Canada find digital sovereignty in the Fediverse? | BetaKit
At FediMTL, advocates say growing the social web is vital to combating Big Tech.
https://betakit.com/can-canada-find-digital-sovereignty-in-the-fediverse/
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add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 month ago
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Such a good deep dive into Quebec quantum history
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 month ago
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I joined
@trondizzle.bsky.social
on the
@betakit.com
Podcast to talk about an anonymous feedback report on Crown corporation BDC, and why it matters for Canadian tech.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngmk...
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Is Canada's bank for entrepreneurs too big to fail?
YouTube video by BetaKit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngmk4ehX7Vw
about 1 month ago
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BC's Photonic is claiming that it teleported quantum information over 30km of Telus fibre-optic cable, as the company looks to make
#quantum
business-ready
betakit.com/photonic-cla...
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Photonic claims “world-first” quantum teleportation across Telus fibre network
Quantum company deepens partnership with investor and telecom giant.
https://betakit.com/photonic-claims-world-first-quantum-teleportation-across-telus-fibre-network/
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Madison McLauchlan
Sarah Rieger
about 2 months ago
The small-town paper in Tumbler Ridge is going to need support. This is its front page right now. Their subscription page is here:
www.patreon.com/tumblerridge...
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Montréal's Haply Robotics has raised $16 million CAD from Sound Media Ventures, Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund, Hanwha Asset Management Fund, Two Small Fish Ventures, and BDC Capital. The startup is building the "touch layer" of how humans and robots interact.
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Madison McLauchlan
BetaKit
about 2 months ago
The federal government used AI to summarize its consultations with Evan Solomon's AI task force. We used a human reporter. BetaKit's Josh Scott undertook a heroic effort to sort through all 348 pages of task force submissions. Here's his summary.
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We read every submission from Canada’s AI task force: here’s what they said | BetaKit
Nearly 350 pages of recommendations sketch a fractured but urgent road map for Canada’s AI future.
https://betakit.com/we-read-every-submission-from-canadas-ai-task-force-heres-what-they-said/
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Resharing some fantastic
@washingtonpost.com
journalism in the wake of massive cuts there. What’s happening is awful and will certainly erode our information ecosystem.
add a skeleton here at some point
about 2 months ago
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Ok.
add a skeleton here at some point
about 2 months ago
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Super interesting interview:
add a skeleton here at some point
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Madison McLauchlan
BetaKit
2 months ago
Canadian bioeconomy companies are driving economic returns: 84 early-stage biotech firms generated nearly $900M in GDP over recent years, according to new data from Natural Products Canada.
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Canadian companies are generating massive returns in the “bioeconomy” | BetaKit
Just 84 early-stage biotech companies generated nearly $900 million for Canada’s GDP.
https://betakit.com/canadian-companies-are-generating-massive-returns-in-the-bioeconomy/
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Toronto's Alexi has escalated a legal fight with Clio and its subsidiary Fastcase by filing a counterclaim that includes antitrust allegations. Alexi claims the litigation has thwarted acquisition interest and forced it to lay off 2/3 of staff.
#legaltech
2 months ago
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reposted by
Madison McLauchlan
Alex Riehl
2 months ago
I thought this was pretty cool
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Madison McLauchlan
Sarah Rieger
2 months ago
Canadian social media management firm Hootsuite is providing monitoring tech to the US government's immigration enforcement agency. Via
@betakit.com
reporter Josh Scott and myself.
betakit.com/hootsuite-dh...
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Hootsuite could receive up to $2.8 million USD for contract with US immigration enforcement | BetaKit
Years after scrapping a contract with ICE, Hootsuite is providing monitoring technology to DHS.
https://betakit.com/hootsuite-dhs-contract/
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Researchers at Mila in Montréal are tackling one of the most concerning issues in
#AI
right now: chatbot-induced mental health crises. It's also, Simona Gandrabur tells me, really difficult to get real-world data.
betakit.com/mila-researc...
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Mila researchers target “AI psychosis” amid concerns about chatbots’ mental health impact | BetaKit
The research hub’s AI Safety Studio hopes to limit chatbot outputs that can feed users’ delusions.
https://betakit.com/mila-researchers-target-ai-psychosis-amid-concerns-about-chatbots-mental-health-impact/
2 months ago
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reposted by
Madison McLauchlan
Sarah Rieger
2 months ago
"There’s a lot of money being invested ... with an assumption of having a walled garden. Ultimately, I don’t think that’s worked in the interest of the consumer." Calgary fintech CEO
@nicbeique.bsky.social
on why he sees open finance as the future.
betakit.com/helcim-takes...
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Helcim takes aim at “walled-off” payment systems with new extension | BetaKit
The Helcim Payment Extension will circumvent “walled gardens,” so businesses can integrate payments into any software.
https://betakit.com/helcim-takes-aim-at-walled-off-payment-systems-with-new-extension/
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It’s Legault-ver
3 months ago
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SO COOL. Read my brilliant friend's research!!!
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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SSENSE founders' bid to buy back company successful, pending approvals
betakit.com/ssense-found...
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Ssense founders’ bid to buy back company successful, pending approvals | BetaKit
The deal for control of the embattled luxury retail platform is expected to close before Feb. 13.
https://betakit.com/ssense-founders-bid-to-buy-back-company-successful-pending-approvals/
3 months ago
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More details on the Ubisoft Halifax
@ubisofthalifax.bsky.social
closure story: a former employee and union rep told BetaKit employees were "blindsided" by the closure, and that the majority of the team was working towards an "aggressive" February project deadline.
3 months ago
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reposted by
Madison McLauchlan
Sarah Rieger
3 months ago
xAI's Grok chatbot has been creating non-consensual, sexually explicit images of women and children. The patchwork of laws that cover the generation, hosting, and sharing of this material in Canada is messy at best. Via
@betakit.com
reporter
@madisonmcla.bsky.social
betakit.com/groks-non-co...
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Grok’s non-consensual sexual images highlight gaps in Canada’s deepfake laws | BetaKit
Experts say Canada’s murky privacy and online harm laws leave victims with limited options.
https://betakit.com/groks-non-consensual-sexual-images-highlight-gaps-in-canadas-deepfake-laws/
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You can find a response from Solomon's office, as well as more context on Canada's patchwork of deepfake laws, in my story here:
betakit.com/groks-non-co...
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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If you follow Canadian tech, add
@betakit.com
as a preferred source on Google:
betakit.com/how-to-see-b...
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How to see BetaKit stories first as a preferred source on Google Search | BetaKit
Google’s preferred sources feature launched in Canada in December 2025.
https://betakit.com/how-to-see-betakit-stories-first-as-a-preferred-source-on-google-search/
3 months ago
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New Canadian lifestyle-focused media outlet By the North launched yesterday. Bonus: it's up front about not using AI for writing and editing specifically
3 months ago
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Sobering indeed!
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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reposted by
Madison McLauchlan
Techmeme
3 months ago
Vancouver-based quantum computing startup Photonic raised CA$180M led by Planet First Partners, bringing its total funding to CA$375M (Madison McLauchlan/BetaKit)
Main Link
|
Techmeme Permalink
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Photonic says it's ready to commercialize
#quantum
tech with $180-million CAD fundraise. Investors include enterprise players RBC and Telus.
betakit.com/photonic-say...
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Photonic ready to commercialize quantum with $180M raise | BetaKit
RBC and Telus back the quantum computing company as it looks to develop enterprise-ready technology.
https://betakit.com/photonic-says-its-ready-to-commercialize-quantum-with-180-million-fundraise/
3 months ago
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reposted by
Madison McLauchlan
BetaKit
3 months ago
So many tech platforms have decayed beyond usability. Can we reverse the process? BetaKit is ending the year with a look back at the biggest
#CDNtech
stories of 2025. Here's
@sarahcrgr.bsky.social
on the year enshittification became undeniable:
bit.ly/4pg0kJq
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In 2025, Canada woke up to the possibility of buying and building
#CDNtech
. How did we get here? Sovereignty: the good, the bad, the performative...
betakit.com/2025-was-the...
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The year Canada realized it needs sovereign tech | BetaKit
This year, Canada woke up to the possibility of buying and building Canadian. Real change depends on what happens next.
https://betakit.com/2025-was-the-year-canada-realized-it-needs-sovereign-tech/
3 months ago
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Eeeeeee
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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reposted by
Madison McLauchlan
André Picard @picardonhealth
4 months ago
Quebec government and family doctors reach agreement in principle, putting contentious legislation on hold.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
via
@theglobeandmail.com
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Quebec government and family doctors reach agreement in principle, putting contentious legislation on hold
New deal to be presented to doctors on Friday before being put to a vote
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-quebec-family-doctors-health-care-medicine-legault/
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reposted by
Madison McLauchlan
Sarah Rieger
4 months ago
Canadians: Do you plan on signing up for
@gandersocial.bsky.social
when it launches? Do you care if your social network is built and hosted here?
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Gander hits $1.5-million crowdfunding target as Canadians back homegrown social network | BetaKit
The app now has 1,800 Canadian co-owners and is extending its funding deadline to January amid high supporter interest.
https://betakit.com/gander-hits-1-5-million-crowdfunding-target-as-canadians-back-homegrown-social-network/
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reposted by
Madison McLauchlan
BetaKit
4 months ago
#CDNTech
startup Toothpod is trying to reimagine dental care with a chewable tablet that can clean teeth without needing any water. Co-founder and
@utoronto.ca
alumna Vishar Yaghoubian claims the tablet kills bacteria connected to tooth decay and bad breath.
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Floss, brush, chew? Toothpod launches a chewable tablet for dental hygiene | BetaKit
University of Toronto founder wants her product to be an essential part of the dental routine.
https://betakit.com/floss-brush-chew-toothpod-launches-a-chewable-tablet-for-dental-hygiene/
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Canada's division of Coinbase wants blockchain tech to be part of AI minister Evan Solomon's portfolio. Plus: updates on the feds' Stablecoin Act.
betakit.com/crypto-advoc...
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Crypto advocates want blockchain tech added to Canadian AI minister’s portfolio | BetaKit
The Canadian government's new Stablecoin Act responds to some of the industry's demands.
https://betakit.com/crypto-advocates-want-blockchain-tech-added-to-canadian-ai-ministers-portfolio/
4 months ago
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reposted by
Madison McLauchlan
BetaKit
4 months ago
A high-level Swedish delegation visited Montréal’s Mila this week to deepen
#AI
research ties. Attendees included Mila's Hugo Larochelle, Québec’s economy minister Christine Fréchette, Cohere chief AI officer Joelle Pineau, and AI safety organization LawZero CEO Sam Ramadori.
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Sweden brings urgency—and royalty—to Montreal as it seeks AI research partnership | BetaKit
Swedish deputy PM says countries must be “risk aware, not risk averse” as royal delegation visits Mila.
https://betakit.com/sweden-brings-urgency-and-royalty-to-montreal-as-it-seeks-ai-research-partnership/
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What is the economic promise of a Canadian
#sovereign
cloud?
betakit.com/what-is-the-...
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What is the economic promise of a Canadian sovereign cloud? | BetaKit
A data centre CEO and an academic say Canadian-owned digital infrastructure could unlock an AI industry.
https://betakit.com/what-is-the-economic-promise-of-a-canadian-sovereign-cloud/
4 months ago
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NEW from me: Shopify's shuttered Indigenous entrepreneurship program Build Native will relaunch in a new form led by the Centre for Native Nation Builders and Tracy Ridler:
betakit.com/shopifys-shu...
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Shopify’s shuttered Indigenous entrepreneurship program will relaunch, says program cofounder | BetaKit
Build Native program was quietly cut in January alongside layoffs of Shopify’s Equitable Commerce team.
https://betakit.com/shopifys-shuttered-indigenous-entrepreneurship-program-will-relaunch-says-program-cofounder/
5 months ago
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Soooo pumped 🚀@sarahcrgr.bsky.social (bluesky gets more emoji energy)
add a skeleton here at some point
5 months ago
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reposted by
Madison McLauchlan
André Picard @picardonhealth
5 months ago
It's official: Canada has lost its measles elimination status because of an outbreak that has persisted for more than 12 months. Country can regain status only if on-going spread is of measles interrupted for more than a year.
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
via
@cbcnews.ca
add a skeleton here at some point
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Canadian tech policy wonks react to
#Budget2025
. Also I make my ad read debut....
www.youtube.com/watch?v=39VQ...
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Budget 2025: “cautiously optimistic”
YouTube video by BetaKit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39VQ2w6V6kc
5 months ago
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reposted by
Madison McLauchlan
BetaKit
5 months ago
#Budget2025
has dropped, promising $1 trillion in new investments over 5 years and a $78.3-billion deficit for 2025-26. Major commitments across
#AI
and quantum, VC, financial services innovation, and defence. We've got a comprehensive look up now:
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What’s in #Budget2025 for Canadian tech? | BetaKit
Feds make huge spending commitments, but finally get competitive on defence, taxes, and financial services.
https://betakit.com/canada-budget-2025-ai-defence-open-banking/
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A “huge budget for FinTechs,” according to Fintechs Canada’s Adriana Vega:
add a skeleton here at some point
5 months ago
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