Build, Canada, build. And do it now.

We need a strong determination to build and support Canadian entrepreneurs and projects in pursuit of digital sovereignty, including support for quantum computing and application projects for AI.

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, left, AI Minister Evan Solomon, centre, and Industry Minister Mélanie Joly on Aug. 25, 2026. Canada has focused on protecting traditional industries, such as steel and lumber, which is understandable, but the danger is that it will neglect the industries of the future, such as AI, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Opinion

BY DAVID CRANE

September 7, 2026

It’s understandable that much of the focus in Canada-United States trade talks has been on protecting traditional industries—autos and auto parts, steel, aluminum, and lumber—for that’s where many of today’s jobs are.

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