Leading voices in business, academia and government recently gathered at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) for “Canada’s Innovation Future,” an event co-hosted by OVHcloud and the Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA).
The event, which focused on innovation, regulation and sustainability in Canada’s tech sector, was the perfect platform for OVHcloud, a France-based cloud services provider, to introduce themselves to the local business community, unveil a major partnership and share eye-opening new research.
With over 100 members of the local business community in attendance at CIGI, which is located in the city of Waterloo, the event enabled meaningful conversations about the future of data in way that captured the collaborative spirit of our region.
Special guests in attendance were Jan Liggett (Mayor, City of Cambridge), Aaron Shull (Managing Director, CIGI), Estelle Azemard (VP Americas, OVHcloud), Effie Triantafilopoulos (Parliamentary Assistant to Minister Vic Fedeli), Jim Balsillie (Founder, BSIA) and M. Michel Miraillet (French Ambassador to Canada).
Here are our three key takeaways from the event:
1. Insights into data sovereignty
Benjamin Revcolevschi, CEO of OVHcloud, shared findings from research conducted with Léger, providing a picture of what IT leaders in the region value most:
- Data protection is paramount, with 88% of respondents emphasizing the importance of storing data locally.
- Sustainability plays a key role in technology strategies for 81% of organizations, yet only 36% feel they receive clear information about their providers’ carbon emissions.
- Nearly two-thirds (64%) feel constrained to use US-based cloud giants due to limited vendor flexibility.
- The same percentage, 64%, believe their organizations are prepared to manage the privacy and security risks posed by AI and machine learning.
- 68% believe Canada’s current regulations sufficiently support digital innovation while protecting privacy and security, but 21% feel the regulations are either too restrictive or not robust enough.
These insights reflect the need to balance innovation with sustainability and responsibility – priorities OVHcloud aims to address for Canadian businesses.
2. A partnership to develop future leaders
OVHcloud announced an exciting partnership with the BSIA, launching a technology governance internship program for graduate students. This initiative provides students with hands-on experience in critical areas such as data protection and emerging tech policy. OVHcloud, in turn, gains access to fresh ideas and innovative solutions.
Dr. Ann Fitz-Gerald, Director of the BSIA, highlighted how this partnership prepares students to tackle Canada’s evolving digital challenges, including data sovereignty and sustainability. Revcolevschi shared how the collaboration embodies OVHcloud’s commitment to technological freedom and trust.
Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Vic Fedeli, remarked: “We congratulate [OVHcloud] on their new partnership with the Balsillie School for International affairs and look forward to the collaboration and forward-thinking research born of this partnership by the next generation of our province’s world-class innovation ecosystem.”
3. A panel discussion on innovation and policy
The event featured a thought-provoking panel moderated by Dr. Fitz-Gerald, which explored topics like data governance, AI, privacy and security laws and the role of cross-sector collaboration in strengthening Canada’s tech ecosystem.
David Skok, Founder of The Logic, a Canadian news startup focused on business and tech news, noted: “We’ve gotten to a place in this country where corporate leaders are on the sidelines from some of the big conversations that are happening in governance and academics are also on their own sidelines. These challenges, whether it’s sovereignty, security or affordability require creative thinking from everyone.”
Joining Skok and Revcolevschi on the panel were Matt Malone (Balsillie Scholar and Incoming Director at the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic, University of Ottawa Faculty of Law) and Vass Bednar (Executive Director of the Master of Public Policy in Digital Society program at McMaster University).
Panel discussion on data sovereignty, transparency and sustainability in tech.
OVHcloud’s growing footprint in Waterloo
OVHcloud has been part of Canada’s tech ecosystem since 2011. Earlier this year, the company opened a data centre in Cambridge, located in a former BlackBerry building. The state-of-the-art facility delivers high-performance, sustainable cloud solutions tailored to Canadian businesses and the regulations they face.
Waterloo EDC is proud to support OVHcloud as they drive growth and innovation in our community. Tony LaMantia, President & CEO of Waterloo EDC, shared his enthusiasm during closing remarks at the event:
“Today marks an important evolution in OVHcloud’s presence in Waterloo Region. As I said last March, press releases are always great, but the real work starts after. Meaningful engagement on shared goals is what we’re going to focus on going forward.”
Want to learn more about business opportunities in Waterloo? Contact our team today.