An Innovative Economy Needs An Innovative Government.
Senator Colin Deacon
What motivates our office?
We live in a disrupt or be disrupted world, and global competitive pressure demands that we address the challenges and opportunities of digitization, climate change and diversity with an unrelenting sense of urgency. To this end, our team is searching to identify and advance actionable and sustainable market-based solutions that deliver increasing social and economic benefits to Canadians in an inclusive manner. We believe that enormous social benefits flow when government positions itself as a catalyst, enabling Canadians in communities throughout our country to build a more resilient economy.
In the News.
See the latest from Senator Colin Deacon, including his most recent interviews, speeches, special project updates, and all other endeavours.
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April 18th, 2024
Senator Colin Deacon rises in the Chamber to speak on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to Canada’s prosperity, and the importance of addressing the barriers to Black and diverse entrepreneurs. Click here to see the speech.
Read the report referenced in the speech in English and French.
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April 13th, 2024
On this podcast, Senator Deacon speaks with Jim Love about the importance of digitization in government to Canada’s prosperity. Click here to listen to the conversation.
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April 11th, 2024
Senator Deacon rises in the Chamber to pay tribute to the Honourable Senator Percy Mockler on the occasion of his retirement. Click here to see the full speech.
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March 19th, 2024
Senator Deacon pays tribute to the Late Honourable Brian Mulroney, Canada’s 18th Prime Minister. Click here to see the full speech.
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February 16th, 2024
In this episode of “Let’s Think Digital”, hosted by Ryan Androsoff, Senator Deacon discusses the importance of leadership in digital transformation and the need for modernizing government institutions.
Link to podcast here.
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February 15th, 2024
In this article, Senator Deacon discusses the risks of AI technologies on democratic institutions, and offers solutions in this regard. Click here to read more.
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February 6th, 2024
Senator Deacon delivers his speech at second reading on Bill C-244: An Act to Amend the Copyright Act(Diagnosis, Maintenance and Repair) as the Senate sponsor of the House of Commons Private Member's Bill.
To watch the speech in its entirety click here.
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February 6th, 2024
Senator Deacon celebrated the achievements of IMP Aerospace & Defence, their new technical training program "IMP Academy", and the value of government procurement.
To watch click here.
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February 5th, 2024
In this Op-Ed co-written by Senator Deacon, Minister Anand and Senator Woo, the authors outline initiatives and reforms that can transform our regulatory system and reduce red tape. Click here to read more.
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January 28th, 2024
Obtaining a banking license in Canada can be daunting and onerous for newer, smaller players. As KOHO clears another hurdle in this process, Senator Deacon comments on the important role that disruptive players like them play in the financial system. Click here to read more.
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December 14th, 2023
Senator Deacon speaks at Third Reading to Bill C-56 (An Act to Amend the Excise Tax Act and the Competition Act), which would implement long awaited, significant changes to Canada’s Competition Act. Click here to see his speech.
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December 14th, 2023
The Council of Canadian Academies has identified procurement as the most effective strategy for helping Canada achieve its 2023 climate objectives. Senator Deacon questions the Government Representative of the Senate about why the federal government has not been leading an example by using procurement as a tool to reduce carbon emissions in supply chain. Click here to see the entire exchange.
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December 13th, 2023
Senator Deacon questions Minister Freeland and Minister Champagne on the details of the amendments to the Competition Act in Bill C-56 (An Act to Amend the Excise Tax Act and the Competition Act). Click here to see the entire exchange.
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November 23rd, 2023
Senator Deacon rises in the Chamber to speak to an amendment to Bill C-234 at Third reading. Click here to see his speech.
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November 2nd, 2023
See recording of panel here.
Canada is a global hub for innovation in tech and AI. How can strategy, tailored for the data driven economy help Canada stimulate investments in Canadian tech companies?
Panelists:
Senator Colin Deacon, Independent Senator for Nova Scotia, Senate of Canada
Keith Jansa, CEO, Digital Governance Council
Mai Mavinkurve, Managing Partner, Prosperity Global Services
Moderator: Claudia Krywiak, President & CEO, Ontario Centre of Innovation
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September 26th, 2023
Canada’s current approach to rulemaking is not keeping pace with the deployment of new digital technologies.
CIGI co-hosted an event at the Senate of Canada with Senators Yuen Pau Woo and Colin Deacon.
CIGI Senior Fellow Michel Girard presented his research paper “Canada Needs Its “New Approach” to Streamline Digital Rulemaking” to Parliamentarians, proposing the modernization of the Statutory Instruments Act to enable rulemaking to keep pace with the release of digital technologies.
Parliamentary Caucus On Emerging Technology.
We are excited to announce the launch of an initiative to address the growing disparity between the rapid pace of technological advancements and the pace of regulatory frameworks. Senator Colin Deacon and Member of Parliament Michelle Rempel Garner have joined forces to establish the Cross-Partisan Working Group on Emerging Technology and Regulation within the Canadian Parliament.
The all-party Emerging Technology Caucus is a cross-partisan working group of Canadian Parliamentarians who have convened in response to a rapidly changing technology landscape that presents both opportunities and challenges for Canada.
The Caucus has been formed in recognition of the fact that in many cases, emerging technologies change and are deployed faster than the speed of government, sometimes to the detriment of economic growth and public health and safety.
The Digital Government Imperative.
8 in 10 Canadians think navigating government services would be simpler with more digital tools. It is crucial that governments embrace digital technologies to improve service delivery, increase efficiencies and enhance transparency. Around the world, it has been demonstrated that adopting a customer-centric approach to digital public services will reduce costs and enhance citizen engagement. By embracing this opportunity, the Canadian Government can better serve Canadians and stay competitive in the digital age.