BY THE OPTMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In the North of Canada, where distances are vast and winters long, institutions really matter. Schools, clinics, and community programs are more than just services; they are anchors. This week, Ottawa pledged new funding aimed at strengthening those anchors, including support for the first Inuit-led university in Canada. The…
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Blending families can feel a little like merging two playlists: everyone has favorites, no one agrees on the volume, and someone inevitably wants to skip the track. In the middle of that adjustment, many stepparents are discovering a surprisingly effective strategy with a memorable name: nacho parenting. Short for…
Eleanor Olszewski, the federal minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), continued her streak of Alberta funding announcements on Monday with a strategic investment into autonomous aircraft company Landing Zones Canada (LZC). “AI is creating a real revolution around the world, and Alberta businesses are not just keeping up—they’re leading the way.” Eleanor Olszewski…
As large-language models get better at distilling masses of messy, complex data from a variety of sources, they’ve opened up a new world for startups looking to sell business intel as a service. NationGraph is applying that principle to the opaque world of US government contracting. With its AI procurement intelligence platform, the startup aims…
The federal government is looking to increase AI adoption and integration on Canada’s East Coast by doling out $8.5 million to 40 projects. AI minister Evan Solomon announced the financial contributions at Halifax-based innovation hub Volta Labs on Tuesday morning. The funding supports projects focused on digital transformation, supply chains, and market expansion across sectors…
Wealthsimple is continuing its push into international payments by becoming the latest member of SWIFT, a global financial messaging network that facilitates wire transfers for more than 11,000 financial institutions around the world. “Direct access means we get to deliver a faster, more transparent international wire transfer experience for our clients.” Hanna Zaidi,Wealthsimple The Toronto-based…
Mélina Poulin is a PhD student in Society, Culture, and Digital Technologies at INRS, Québec. Nicolas Chartier-Edwards is a PhD Candidate in Politics, Science, and Technology at INRS, Québec. Both are Québec research chairs in Francophone digital tech and AI. Last month, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) released the results of the 30-day…
Canada’s small businesses saw the largest quarterly decline in sales growth since 2020 in the final quarter of 2025, according to the latest Xero Small Business Insights report. “We’re now seeing the true cost of a fractured global economy show up at the SMB level.” Louise Southall, Xero The quarterly report aims to provide insight…
Montréal-based AI conference ALL IN is expanding to the rest of Canada with two satellite events as it gears up for its fourth annual edition. ALL IN is run by the federal government-supported innovation cluster Scale AI. The organization announced today it will host two ‘ALL IN Talks’ events this year: one in Vancouver on…
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Charisma may appear to be something you are born with or without, yet research indicates that it is a skill you can develop. Consider the most magnetic person you know: a former boss who enthralled every meeting, or a buddy who actually makes you feel heard. Ulrich Jensen, PhD,…
