What are the key considerations for developing a robust national cybersecurity strategy to protect Canadian infrastructure?

Canadians depend on reliable, resilient infrastructure. That requires a national cybersecurity strategy geared to identifying and prioritizing risks. At EY, we recommend kickstarting that strategy with a detailed risk assessment to empower stakeholders to prioritize critical infrastructure, risks and sectors, such as energy, transportation, finance or health care. This assessment is a starting point for assessing vulnerabilities and potential bad actor, insider or supply chain threats. With that understanding, teams can develop a strategy to protect critical infrastructure. Plans should address governance from the very beginning, outlining clear roles and responsibilities for federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments. These roadmaps should also account for privacy considerations and any related compliance requirements at the international level. Cybersecurity strategies to protect Canadian infrastructure should focus on the future. Design frameworks to promote advanced cybersecurity technologies — like AI-driven threat detection, encryption and zero-trust architectures — and encourage innovation. Plans like these cannot be static. Rather, they must be living documents — regularly updated in line with evolving challenges and tech advances.

How do climate policy and sustainability initiatives affect Canada's competitiveness?

Designed well, climate policy and sustainability initiatives can drive Canadian competitiveness, productivity and resilience. For example, businesses can cultivate and export technologies that produce low-emission goods and services. Canadian exports can further domestic emissions management regimes while also helping decarbonize the world. Canadian liquified natural gas (LNG) has the potential to help other countries cut down on higher carbon energy sources, like coal. When we frame climate policy and sustainability as an opportunity, we position Canadian companies to develop technology, intellectual property and trade competitiveness that can shape the future with confidence.

How can government agencies effectively communicate policy changes to engage diverse stakeholder groups?

Governments must communicate policy changes and related impacts clearly and concisely. This helps prevent confusion, especially among those most likely to be affected by the change. Consider a diverse range of technologies and channels to get the message out to a wide audience of diverse stakeholders. Use a mix of traditional and digital channels: for example, press release, media backgrounder, supplemental information, Minster communications, newspaper announcements, television ads, multicultural news platforms, social media and websites. Meet Canadians where they are to capture feedback. Think about interactive opportunities like consultations, community workshops, online surveys and feedback groups to gather stakeholder perspectives and learn how changes will impact communities. This creates an invaluable feedback loop to refine and iterate policy and effectively serve Canadians.

Why are robust data-governance frameworks critical to AI readiness for Canadian organizations?

While all AI systems share common risks, the advanced capabilities and self-learning nature of agentic AI introduce a new array of challenges that demand robust governance. Specifically, organizations in Canada will need automated, continuous, precise and transactional oversight to effectively manage these systems. Agentic AI’s unique capabilities and rapid evolution mean existing governance practices may need a strategic refresh. At EY, we’ve developed a detailed, six-step responsible AI framework to help businesses in Canada become AI ready.

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Building a stronger Canada begins with bold questions

Canadians depend on reliable, resilient infrastructure. That requires a national cybersecurity strategy geared to identifying and prioritizing risks. At EY, we recommend kickstarting that strategy with a detailed risk assessment to empower stakeholders to prioritize critical infrastructure, risks and sectors, such as energy, transportation, finance or health care. This assessment is a starting point for assessing vulnerabilities and potential bad actor, insider or supply chain threats.

With that understanding, teams can develop a strategy to protect critical infrastructure. Plans should address governance from the very beginning, outlining clear roles and responsibilities for federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments. These roadmaps should also account for privacy considerations and any related compliance requirements at the international level.

Cybersecurity strategies to protect Canadian infrastructure should focus on the future. Design frameworks to promote advanced cybersecurity technologies — like AI-driven threat detection, encryption and zero-trust architectures — and encourage innovation. Plans like these cannot be static. Rather, they must be living documents — regularly updated in line with evolving challenges and tech advances.
Designed well, climate policy and sustainability initiatives can drive Canadian competitiveness, productivity and resilience.

For example, businesses can cultivate and export technologies that produce low-emission goods and services. Canadian exports can further domestic emissions management regimes while also helping decarbonize the world. Canadian liquified natural gas (LNG) has the potential to help other countries cut down on higher carbon energy sources, like coal.

When we frame climate policy and sustainability as an opportunity, we position Canadian companies to develop technology, intellectual property and trade competitiveness that can shape the future with confidence.
Governments must communicate policy changes and related impacts clearly and concisely. This helps prevent confusion, especially among those most likely to be affected by the change.

Consider a diverse range of technologies and channels to get the message out to a wide audience of diverse stakeholders. Use a mix of traditional and digital channels: for example, press release, media backgrounder, supplemental information, Minster communications, newspaper announcements, television ads, multicultural news platforms, social media and websites.

Meet Canadians where they are to capture feedback. Think about interactive opportunities like consultations, community workshops, online surveys and feedback groups to gather stakeholder perspectives and learn how changes will impact communities. This creates an invaluable feedback loop to refine and iterate policy and effectively serve Canadians.
While all AI systems share common risks, the advanced capabilities and self-learning nature of agentic AI introduce a new array of challenges that demand robust governance.

Specifically, organizations in Canada will need automated, continuous, precise and transactional oversight to effectively manage these systems.

Agentic AI’s unique capabilities and rapid evolution mean existing governance practices may need a strategic refresh.

At EY, we’ve developed a detailed, six-step responsible AI framework to help businesses in Canada become AI ready.

People and purpose to build a stronger Canada

Alycia Calvert

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Sustaining Partner of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition

We are pleased to announce EY Canada is a Sustaining Partner of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC). Through this program, we’ll support the advancement of First Nations leadership, ownership and decision-making in major projects across Canada.

We were proud to participate in The Next Seven Generations: Our Shared Future event, which brought together Indigenous leaders, business and government to collaborate on shaping lasting prosperity for all.

Together, we’re shaping a future grounded in respect, partnership and shared success. Discover how Indigenous partnerships are driving a stronger, more united Canada.

Learn more

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Building a stronger Canada

Spotlight on: Canada's progress

Are we courageous enough to build a bolder Canada?

Building a stronger Canada begins with bold questions

People and purpose to build a stronger Canada