Day One: Foundation Building

Access within reach. Agency to act. Assurance to trust.

We create and run digital services that break down barriers—giving SMEs, Non-Profits, and communities more capacity to take action and drive meaningful change.

The Capability Gap

Canada leads the world in AI policy. But most Canadians haven't been able to benefit from what we've built.

AI Policy Leadership

Canada ranks first globally in AI policy aligned with democratic values (tied with South Korea and Japan) (source)

Digital Government Services

Down from 3rd place in 2010. Citizens can't access what policy promises. (source)

Business Adoption

Only 12% of Canadian businesses actually use AI in operations (source)

The 30-Place Gap

From 1st in policy to 32nd in delivery. That's not a ranking problem. That's a capability crisis.

The local business that can't compete. The community organization that can't scale. The teacher and student navigating AI tools in the classroom without support. The service buried in paper processes. The gap between what we promise and what we deliver is costing Canadian competitiveness.

1.2M

Businesses lacking tech capability (source)

44/47

Canada's rank in AI literacy among nations (KPMG) (source)

88%

Of businesses not using AI (source)

29↓

Places fallen in digital gov (2010-2022) (source)

How We Work

Four principles. Execution over philosophy.

1

Start with Who Needs Help

The business that can't compete. The citizen trying to understand complex policy. The teacher and student navigating technology in the classroom. The community organization that can't scale.

Build for real Canadians with real problems, not theoretical users.

2

Ship Working Tools, Not Perfect Plans

Canada ranks #1 in AI policy. We don't need more frameworks.

Launch early, improve constantly, measure actual capability. Small working systems beat large perfect plans.

3

Close the Gap, Track the Gap

From 12% business adoption → measure monthly gains. From 32nd in digital gov → track ranking progress. From 44th in AI literacy → track learning gains.

If we're closing the gap, we can prove it.

4

Make it Work for Everyone

Technology that only works for 12% of businesses isn't working. Government services ranked 32nd aren't serving citizens.

Build for the machine shop in Medicine Hat, the community group in rural Saskatchewan, the classroom using AI tools in Thunder Bay, the small business in a remote town. If it doesn't work for them, it doesn't work.

Our Progress

Regularly updated with current status.

Established

  • • Mission and vision defined
  • • Core values established
  • • Clear problem thesis and national capability gap documented
  • • This website (v1)

In Progress

  • • SME-focused course design
  • • Early product experiments
  • • Community building and early SME / social enterprise engagement
  • • Partnership conversations with local SMEs, social enterprises, and community organizations
  • • Lean founding governance and legal structure (small founding board; skills-based board to follow)
  • • Funding pathways for pilots and early cohorts

Not Started

  • • Full platform build and broader product portfolio
  • • Education & government program tracks at scale
  • • Expanded national board structure and formal advisory councils
  • • Large-scale service delivery across Canada

Get Involved

Help shape what we build. Share your expertise. Build Canada's technology commons together.

Connect with us at [email protected]

Updates coming soon.