New initiative will connect Canadian businesses, researchers, talent, and institutions with European markets, expertise, investment, and partnerships
OTTAWA, Canada - September 21, 2026 - The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) today announced the launch of its Canada-Europe Digital Economy Bridge to help Canadian businesses, researchers, workers, and institutions build stronger connections to European markets, technology ecosystems, expertise, and partnership opportunities.
The initiative builds on several years of ICTC’s Canada-Europe engagement and comes at a time of growing cooperation between Canada and the European Union across artificial intelligence (AI), advanced technologies, research and development, digital trade, cybersecurity, industrial capacity, economic security, skills, and innovation. It will focus on translating these growing relationships into practical opportunities for Canada by creating and strengthening pathways and partnerships with Europe to address shared economic priorities, including enhancing productivity and competitiveness; accelerating the commercialization and adoption of emerging technologies; strengthening innovation and research collaboration; developing the skills and talent needed for a changing economy; and expanding opportunities for Canadian businesses and institutions to connect with European markets, expertise, investment, and innovation ecosystems.
“This is about creating more opportunities for Canada,” said Namir Anani, President and CEO of ICTC. “Canadian companies, researchers, workers and institutions increasingly need direct connections to international markets, expertise and partnerships. Having a presence in Brussels will allow ICTC to build those connections on the ground and bring the resulting opportunities, intelligence, and relationships back to Canada. Canada and Europe are entering an important new phase in their relationship, with the digital economy at the centre of significant shared opportunities. ICTC is helping turn that momentum into practical collaboration—connecting Canadian innovation and expertise with European markets and partners while creating two-way relationships that strengthen productivity, responsible innovation, skills development, and sustainable economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic.”
To support the initiative, ICTC will establish a permanent presence in Brussels in early 2027, providing Canadian stakeholders with on-the-ground access to European networks, market intelligence, and partnership opportunities. The Brussels presence will complement ICTC’s work in Canada and extend its ability to support Canadian organizations internationally. Areas of focus will include AI and emerging technologies; cybersecurity and digital infrastructure; digital adoption and productivity; market and labour-market intelligence; independent research and policy analysis; skills and workforce development; investment and market connections; and international research and innovation partnerships.
“ICTC’s Canada-Europe Digital Economy Bridge represents an important evolution of the organization’s longstanding mandate to strengthen Canada’s digital advantage in a changing global economy,” said Janet Lin, Chair of ICTC’s Board of Directors. “For more than three decades, ICTC has helped Canadian businesses, workers, researchers, educators, and policymakers understand and respond to technological change. Establishing a permanent presence in Brussels will extend that work by connecting Canadian stakeholders more directly with European expertise, investment, research, and innovation networks. It will also enable ICTC to bring valuable international intelligence and relationships back to Canada, supporting the informed decisions, skilled workforce, and productive partnerships our economy will require in the years ahead.”
Building on established Canada-Europe collaboration
The initiative builds on ICTC’s three decades of experience supporting Canada’s digital economy and its longstanding engagement with industry, governments, research organizations, educational institutions and technology ecosystems in Canada and internationally.
ICTC has been a longstanding partner of the European AI, Data and Robotics Association (Adra) on research examining opportunities for stronger transatlantic collaboration in AI, talent development, industrial adoption, innovation ecosystems and public-private partnerships. In June 2026, ICTC and the Delegation of the European Union to Canada convened an EU-Canada dialogue on harnessing AI for economic growth, bringing together senior representatives from the European Commission, Government of Canada, research organizations and industry to examine practical cooperation on AI adoption, productivity, skills, infrastructure and market access. ICTC’s broader international engagement has also included participation in the Science Summit held alongside the United Nations General Assembly and engagement with the International Telecommunication Union on digital development, skills, inclusion and the changing global digital economy.
ICTC’s Canada-Europe Digital Economy Bridge initiative will build on these relationships while maintaining a clear focus on practical outcomes for Canadian businesses, workers, researchers, and institutions.
From relationships to practical opportunities
The initiative’s next phase will begin in Brussels on November 16, 2026, when Anani participates in the annual DIGITAL SME Summit hosted by the European Economic and Social Committee. Anani will join representatives from the European Commission, European Parliament, and international organizations for a session focused on strengthening global connections and market opportunities for technology companies and SMEs.
In early 2027, ICTC also plans to convene Canadian and European leaders in Brussels for a high-level dialogue on the future of the digital economy. The gathering will bring together industry, government, research, education and emerging leaders to identify practical opportunities for cooperation across technology, AI, talent and skills, investment, productivity and innovation. Future activities under the initiative will focus on creating tangible connections and opportunities between Canada and Europe across markets, technology, research, investment, and talent. ICTC’s mandate remains firmly rooted in Canada. The Canada-Europe Digital Economy Initiative extends that mandate internationally by giving Canadian businesses, workers, researchers and institutions stronger access to the relationships, knowledge and opportunities they need to compete and prosper in a rapidly changing global digital economy.
About ICTC
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) is a neutral, not-for-profit national centre of expertise with the mission of strengthening Canada’s digital advantage in the global economy. For over 30 years, ICTC has delivered forward-looking research, practical policy advice, and capacity-building solutions for individuals and businesses. The organization’s goal is to ensure that technology is utilized to drive economic growth and innovation and that Canada’s workforce remains competitive on a global scale.
