VassB
@vassb.bsky.social
policy designer + writer
Managing Director of the Canadian Shield Institute (@canadianshieldinstitute.ca)
+ Co-author of The Big Fix, which is all about improving Canada’s competition policy
https://sutherlandhousebooks.com/product/the-big-fix/
Managing Director of the Canadian Shield Institute (@canadianshieldinstitute.ca)
+ Co-author of The Big Fix, which is all about improving Canada’s competition policy
https://sutherlandhousebooks.com/product/the-big-fix/
Reposted by VassB
(Bloomberg) — The Republican-led US House passed legislation aimed at ending President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, signaling a growing anxiety over the White House’s economic agenda ahead of a midterm election focused heavily on affordability.
US House Defies Trump and Votes to End His Canada Tariffs
The Republican-led US House passed legislation aimed at ending President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, signaling a growing anxiety over the White House’s economic agenda ahead of a midterm electio...
www.bloomberg.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:30 PM
(Bloomberg) — The Republican-led US House passed legislation aimed at ending President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, signaling a growing anxiety over the White House’s economic agenda ahead of a midterm election focused heavily on affordability.
Reposted by VassB
Ottawa is moving fast on sovereign AI compute but without a clear definition of sovereignty, the risks are real.
This week’s National Interest examines Canada’s AI data centre strategy, ownership, and control.
Read more here: app.cyberimpact.com/newsletter-v...
This week’s National Interest examines Canada’s AI data centre strategy, ownership, and control.
Read more here: app.cyberimpact.com/newsletter-v...
February 10, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Ottawa is moving fast on sovereign AI compute but without a clear definition of sovereignty, the risks are real.
This week’s National Interest examines Canada’s AI data centre strategy, ownership, and control.
Read more here: app.cyberimpact.com/newsletter-v...
This week’s National Interest examines Canada’s AI data centre strategy, ownership, and control.
Read more here: app.cyberimpact.com/newsletter-v...
Reposted by VassB
Trump has been privately asking aides why he shouldn't just exit the USMCA, colleague Josh Wingrove reports. It's fairly typical behavior from Trump during trade talks -- but also a sign of how difficult and volatile this process will likely be. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Trump Privately Weighs Quitting USMCA Trade Pact He Negotiated
President Donald Trump is privately musing about exiting the North American trade pact, people familiar with the matter said, injecting further uncertainty about the deal’s future into pivotal renegot...
www.bloomberg.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Trump has been privately asking aides why he shouldn't just exit the USMCA, colleague Josh Wingrove reports. It's fairly typical behavior from Trump during trade talks -- but also a sign of how difficult and volatile this process will likely be. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by VassB
Matrix is quietly becoming the chat layer for governments chasing digital sovereignty
Matrix is quietly becoming the chat layer for governments chasing digital sovereignty
One-to-one and group messaging, encrypted VoIP calls, video conferencing – the open protocol handles them all
FOSDEM 2026 Amid growing interest in digital sovereignty and getting data out of the corporate cloud and into organizations' ownership, the Matrix open communication protocol is thriving.…
dlvr.it
February 9, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Matrix is quietly becoming the chat layer for governments chasing digital sovereignty
Reposted by VassB
Ring is a wildly dangerous company. Always has been. But it has sort of flown under the radar the last couple years as it tried to soften its image. Make no mistake that this is an extremely dangerous surveillance dragnet:
www.404media.co/with-ring-am...
www.404media.co/with-ring-am...
With Ring, American Consumers Built a Surveillance Dragnet
Ring's 'Search Party' is dystopian surveillance accelerationism.
www.404media.co
February 10, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Ring is a wildly dangerous company. Always has been. But it has sort of flown under the radar the last couple years as it tried to soften its image. Make no mistake that this is an extremely dangerous surveillance dragnet:
www.404media.co/with-ring-am...
www.404media.co/with-ring-am...
Reposted by VassB
Very much enjoying listening to @vassb.bsky.social & @drjengunter.bsky.social saying very sensible things about the roles of gov’t in addressing health mis/disinfo.
Also reminded that Canada once had a publicly-funded, expert-created, free health info network. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadia...
Also reminded that Canada once had a publicly-funded, expert-created, free health info network. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadia...
Canadian Health Network - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
February 10, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Very much enjoying listening to @vassb.bsky.social & @drjengunter.bsky.social saying very sensible things about the roles of gov’t in addressing health mis/disinfo.
Also reminded that Canada once had a publicly-funded, expert-created, free health info network. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadia...
Also reminded that Canada once had a publicly-funded, expert-created, free health info network. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadia...
Reposted by VassB
Does Greer think *all* of Canada’s GDP relies on exports? Does he know how to calculate GDP?
Historically, 75% of our *exports* have gone to the U.S. but that only ever translated into 17% of GDP.
And Canadian businesses are actively pursuing other markets. www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/36-28...
Historically, 75% of our *exports* have gone to the U.S. but that only ever translated into 17% of GDP.
And Canadian businesses are actively pursuing other markets. www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/36-28...
February 10, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Does Greer think *all* of Canada’s GDP relies on exports? Does he know how to calculate GDP?
Historically, 75% of our *exports* have gone to the U.S. but that only ever translated into 17% of GDP.
And Canadian businesses are actively pursuing other markets. www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/36-28...
Historically, 75% of our *exports* have gone to the U.S. but that only ever translated into 17% of GDP.
And Canadian businesses are actively pursuing other markets. www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/36-28...
Reposted by VassB
France is ditching American tech. When will Canada?
The latest from the Globe's business commentary, by Vass Bednar: www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
The latest from the Globe's business commentary, by Vass Bednar: www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
Opinion: France is ditching American tech. When will Canada?
Countries around the world are turning to open-sourced or domestic options, but Canada still relies on U.S. tech for critical communication software
www.theglobeandmail.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:06 AM
France is ditching American tech. When will Canada?
The latest from the Globe's business commentary, by Vass Bednar: www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
The latest from the Globe's business commentary, by Vass Bednar: www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
Reposted by VassB
We are super excited to debut the very first @thenarwhal.ca game! It's a Valentine's quiz thought up by @michellecyca.com and illustrated by @gabrielledrolet.bsky.social - go find out what bird should be your bae. Mine's the Canada Goose! projects.thenarwhal.ca/lovebirds-qu...
February 7, 2026 at 5:37 PM
We are super excited to debut the very first @thenarwhal.ca game! It's a Valentine's quiz thought up by @michellecyca.com and illustrated by @gabrielledrolet.bsky.social - go find out what bird should be your bae. Mine's the Canada Goose! projects.thenarwhal.ca/lovebirds-qu...
Reposted by VassB
For @nytimes I wrote about the globalization of Canadian rage. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/o...
Opinion | The Globalization of Canadian Rage
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:29 PM
For @nytimes I wrote about the globalization of Canadian rage. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/o...
Reposted by VassB
A shift in capital away from the US has picked up pace under President Trump. That rebalancing could be good for the global economy.
Global Capital’s Break With the US Is Long Overdue
Trump’s policies have accelerated an overdue shift, as US market advantages fade and investors reassess their heavy exposure to American assets.
bloom.bg
February 6, 2026 at 9:11 PM
A shift in capital away from the US has picked up pace under President Trump. That rebalancing could be good for the global economy.
“Paradise” suggests a singular not two places BOTH on Bloor.
February 6, 2026 at 3:57 PM
“Paradise” suggests a singular not two places BOTH on Bloor.
Reposted by VassB
Tactics include misleading borrowers through “membership” fees, embedding offers in rental-payment portals to entice renters at checkout, and partnering with existing “buy now, pay later” apps.
February 6, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Tactics include misleading borrowers through “membership” fees, embedding offers in rental-payment portals to entice renters at checkout, and partnering with existing “buy now, pay later” apps.
Reposted by VassB
New Brunswick, an east coast Canadian province of about 900,000 people, will no longer use billionaire Elon Musk’s social media platform X for routine government communications, its leader announced
Canadian Province New Brunswick to Quit Using Elon Musk’s X
New Brunswick, an east coast Canadian province of about 900,000 people, will no longer use billionaire Elon Musk’s social media platform X for routine government communications, its leader announced Thursday.
bloom.bg
February 5, 2026 at 9:00 PM
New Brunswick, an east coast Canadian province of about 900,000 people, will no longer use billionaire Elon Musk’s social media platform X for routine government communications, its leader announced
Reposted by VassB
EU regulators released a preliminary decision on Friday that TikTok’s infinite scroll, auto-play features and recommendation algorithm amount to an “addictive design” that violated European online safety laws.
Europe Accuses TikTok of ‘Addictive Design’ and Pushes for Change
European Union regulators said the app’s infinite scroll and personalized algorithm led to “compulsive” behavior, especially among children.
nyti.ms
February 6, 2026 at 11:55 AM
EU regulators released a preliminary decision on Friday that TikTok’s infinite scroll, auto-play features and recommendation algorithm amount to an “addictive design” that violated European online safety laws.
Reposted by VassB
The chair of Montreal-based satellite company Terrestar says that to compete with American giants, it intends to partner with other “middle power” countries to build a global direct-to-cell satellite network.
www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/7ff7d5d...
www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/7ff7d5d...
Terrestar chair looks to build competitive network with the help of other middle powers
Montreal-based satellite company is hoping to raise about $500-million for the development of a low-Earth-orbit
www.theglobeandmail.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:44 PM
The chair of Montreal-based satellite company Terrestar says that to compete with American giants, it intends to partner with other “middle power” countries to build a global direct-to-cell satellite network.
www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/7ff7d5d...
www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/7ff7d5d...
Reposted by VassB
If you want to do your part for Canadian digital sovereignty from the US, then drop OneDrive, Dropbox, and whatever the hell Apple users use, and get Sync, the Canadian cloud service. I've been using it for a few months and it's just as good as the others.
France dumps Zoom and Teams as Europe seeks digital autonomy from the U.S.
France dumps Zoom and Teams as Europe seeks digital autonomy from the U.S.
Around Europe, governments and institutions are seeking to reduce their use of digital services from U.S. Big Tech companies and turning to domestic or free alternatives.
www.thestar.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:04 AM
If you want to do your part for Canadian digital sovereignty from the US, then drop OneDrive, Dropbox, and whatever the hell Apple users use, and get Sync, the Canadian cloud service. I've been using it for a few months and it's just as good as the others.
Reposted by VassB
France dumps Zoom and Teams as Europe seeks digital autonomy from the U.S.
France dumps Zoom and Teams as Europe seeks digital autonomy from the U.S.
Around Europe, governments and institutions are seeking to reduce their use of digital services from U.S. Big Tech companies and turning to domestic or free alternatives.
www.thestar.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:15 PM
France dumps Zoom and Teams as Europe seeks digital autonomy from the U.S.
Reposted by VassB
Before, Big Tech algorithms decided what you saw.
Now you can opt out of the 'personalised' feed or make it chronological!
Ads must be transparent, and deceptive design is banned.
All because of our Digital Services Act.
Your digital life, your rules.
Now you can opt out of the 'personalised' feed or make it chronological!
Ads must be transparent, and deceptive design is banned.
All because of our Digital Services Act.
Your digital life, your rules.
February 3, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Before, Big Tech algorithms decided what you saw.
Now you can opt out of the 'personalised' feed or make it chronological!
Ads must be transparent, and deceptive design is banned.
All because of our Digital Services Act.
Your digital life, your rules.
Now you can opt out of the 'personalised' feed or make it chronological!
Ads must be transparent, and deceptive design is banned.
All because of our Digital Services Act.
Your digital life, your rules.
Reposted by VassB
The TikTok saga reads less as a successful US power play than as an accommodation that revealed how difficult it has become for the state to decisively govern technologies that are already socially indispensable, despite not being American-made, write Alex Turvy & Rebecca Scharlach. buff.ly/oDWUOtG
US Power Play Over TikTok Did Nothing to Protect Americans
A year of limbo and a turbulent transition this month resolved very little, write Alex Turvy and Rebecca Scharlach.
buff.ly
February 3, 2026 at 9:54 AM
The TikTok saga reads less as a successful US power play than as an accommodation that revealed how difficult it has become for the state to decisively govern technologies that are already socially indispensable, despite not being American-made, write Alex Turvy & Rebecca Scharlach. buff.ly/oDWUOtG
NGL this one surprised me
In November 2025, the CRTC announced its final definitions of what counts as Canadian content for the purposes of the Online Streaming Tax.
Our team scored the policy based on how it will impact Canadian sovereignty.
Full write-up: img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/e3...
Our team scored the policy based on how it will impact Canadian sovereignty.
Full write-up: img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/e3...
February 2, 2026 at 11:07 PM
NGL this one surprised me
Reposted by VassB
“You cannot live within the lie of mutual benefit through integration when integration becomes the source of your subordination.”
This week’s newsletter asks: if that’s true, what is Canada’s trade strategy now?
Read it here: app.cyberimpact.com/newsletter-v...
This week’s newsletter asks: if that’s true, what is Canada’s trade strategy now?
Read it here: app.cyberimpact.com/newsletter-v...
January 30, 2026 at 3:25 PM
“You cannot live within the lie of mutual benefit through integration when integration becomes the source of your subordination.”
This week’s newsletter asks: if that’s true, what is Canada’s trade strategy now?
Read it here: app.cyberimpact.com/newsletter-v...
This week’s newsletter asks: if that’s true, what is Canada’s trade strategy now?
Read it here: app.cyberimpact.com/newsletter-v...
Reposted by VassB
The trade war isn’t just tariffs anymore - its also APIs, terms of service, and bots that shop for you.
Big tech is writing the rules of agentic commerce in real time and Canada is not at the table.
Read more in our newsletter, The National Interest: app.cyberimpact.com/newsletter-v...
Big tech is writing the rules of agentic commerce in real time and Canada is not at the table.
Read more in our newsletter, The National Interest: app.cyberimpact.com/newsletter-v...
January 23, 2026 at 4:00 PM
The trade war isn’t just tariffs anymore - its also APIs, terms of service, and bots that shop for you.
Big tech is writing the rules of agentic commerce in real time and Canada is not at the table.
Read more in our newsletter, The National Interest: app.cyberimpact.com/newsletter-v...
Big tech is writing the rules of agentic commerce in real time and Canada is not at the table.
Read more in our newsletter, The National Interest: app.cyberimpact.com/newsletter-v...
Reposted by VassB
I wrote about how all big news events are now an excuse for AI slop. www.thestar.com/news/investi...
Warren Buffett didn’t make this video about Canada-U.S. tensions. It’s AI slop — and you’re going to see a lot more of it
New YouTube accounts are using AI fakes of famous Americans to stir geopolitical unrest in the pursuit of profits, experts say.
www.thestar.com
February 1, 2026 at 9:55 PM
I wrote about how all big news events are now an excuse for AI slop. www.thestar.com/news/investi...
Agentic payments wars is my Real Housewives
February 1, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Agentic payments wars is my Real Housewives