The IT Nerd

OVHcloud, a global cloud player, today hosts its inaugural Canada’s Innovation Future event alongside the Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA) and the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) in Waterloo. The event brings together thought-leaders, academics, and industry experts from Ontario’s vibrant tech sector to address the intersection of innovation and regulation, focusing on fostering open, trusted and sustainable technologies.

As Canada’s digital landscape reaches a pivotal moment, discussions will center on creating frameworks that balance technological growth with responsible governance, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence (AI). As businesses increasingly adopt AI solutions, there is a growing emphasis on establishing regulatory frameworks that ensure ethical practices and protect data sovereignty. Striking a balance between fostering a competitive tech landscape and addressing privacy and security concerns, in this evolving regulatory environment presents both challenges and opportunities for organizations in the Waterloo-Toronto corridor.

During the event, OVHcloud is making two major announcements demonstrating its commitment to driving innovation, sustainability and data sovereignty within Canada’s technology landscape. In collaboration with market research firm, Léger, OVHcloud released new research on the evolving technology landscape in the Waterloo-Toronto corridor. 

Addressing critical topics such as data sovereignty, AI adoption, and sustainability, this research provides key insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by tech organizations in their pursuit of technological freedom and efficiency.  Among the report’s key findings, respondents highlighted that:

• Data protection is a top priority, with almost nine in ten respondents (88%) saying it is important for their organization to store data locally. 
• Sustainability is a key focus for many organizations, with 81% saying environmental sustainability is important in their organization’s technology and data management strategies. However, 36% of respondents believe they receive clear information about their providers’ carbon emissions. 
• Almost two-thirds (64%) of respondents feel constrained to use the services of U.S. cloud giants, citing limited flexibility in switching vendors. 
• Almost two-thirds (64%) of respondents believe their organization are prepared to manage the privacy and security risks posed by the growing use of AI and machine learning in data related activities.
• More than two-thirds (68%) believe current regulations in Canada sufficiently support digital innovation while protecting privacy and security, while 21% believe that the Canadian regulations are too restrictive or not strong enough.

The findings present a pivotal opportunity to reframe the conversation around data governance, sustainability, and innovation within the Waterloo-Toronto corridor. OVHcloud’s strong values and differentiators in Canada significantly enhance the region’s ability to tackle these challenges while promoting data sovereignty and sustainable innovation. Complying with local regulations and remaining fully immune to extraterritorial legislation, OVHcloud demonstrates a strong commitment to data protection through its multi-site footprint in Canada.

Its innovative approach is reflected in industry-leading energy efficiency, including water-cooled data centers, as well as a comprehensive carbon calculator that addresses all three scopes of emissions, including manufacturing and lifecycle impacts. OVHcloud’s commitment to energy efficiency also addresses the growing demand for sustainable technology solutions, enabling organizations to reduce their carbon footprint while managing costs. This combination of affordability and environmental responsibility positions OVHcloud as a trusted partner for Canadian businesses.

In a landscape where reliance on U.S. providers can create constraints, OVHcloud champions an open cloud model free from vendor lock-in, offering fully interoperable and reversible solutions that empower organizations to maintain complete control over their infrastructure and data journey.

In addition to the research, OVHcloud also announced a new partnership between OVHcloud and the Balsillie School of International Affairs, highlighting the need for sustained discussions on technology and governance to shape Canada’s innovation future. The partnership further demonstrates the company’s dedication and commitment to contributing to the tech ecosystem of the region. 

Through this partnership, OVHcloud will support the BSIA’s technology governance internship program, which places graduate students in corporate, government and not-for-profit organizations. This initiative allows students to gain hands-on experience in governance, policy, and emerging technologies while providing a platform for organizations like OVHcloud to benefit from fresh perspectives on critical issues such as data protection and sovereignty.

This partnership as an important step in deepening OVHcloud’s engagement with the academic and tech communities in North America, helping to shape the future of technology governance and further promoting sovereignty and sustainability for a better digital future.

Firmly established in Canada in 2011, OVHcloud has expanded its presence with the opening of a new data center in Cambridge (ON) in March 2024 Located in one of North America’s most dynamic innovation clusters, this new data centre delivers trusted cloud solutions that cater to Canadian companies’ needs for enhanced performance, resilience and data governance. 

Download the OVHcloud/Léger report here.