Public Policy for Canada’s Digital Economy

The Dais presents the first course of its kind focused on Public Policy for Canada’s Digital Economy. It is the third course in the Secure and Responsible Technology Policy program, a professional education program designed for professionals across policymaker, civil society, and business communities who want to advance responsible tech policy in Canada.

8 weeks

Live virtual sessions

Learn from leading policy experts and tech practitioners

Spring 2024 session: May 2 – June 20, 2024

Registration is now closed.

Did you miss our SRTP INFORMATION SESSION? CLICK HERE to learn how the Public Policy for Canada’s Digital Economy microcredential course can benefit your career.

Dais Learning: Microcredential Program

Public Policy for Canada’s Digital Economy (Course III)

SPRING 2024: May 2 – June 20, 2024

No Prerequisites required.

A joint initiative of the Dais and Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Toronto Metropolitan University, offered in partnership with the Canadian Council of Innovators (CCI) and Ontario’s Cyber Security Centre of Excellence.

Program sponsor: Public Safety Canada

See Course II: Cyber Security Policy in Canada

About the course

We need new public policy for a new economy.

In an era of rapid technological transformation, many worry that Canada’s economy remains stuck. Our global competitiveness is sliding, and sluggish productivity imperils our future prosperity and quality of life. At the same time, gains from technological innovation are not shared equally, and some Canadians are being left behind.

In this course, you will develop a practical understanding of key policy choices and trade-offs for driving inclusive prosperity. You will be equipped to engage productively in the policymaking process – whether as policymakers, advisors, researchers, or advocates.

Each week will address a key driver of inclusive prosperity in the digital economy: productivity and innovation, workforce, competition, and the intangible economy (intellectual property, data, privacy and AI). For each driver, the course will examine the current state of affairs, challenges Canada faces, and potential public policy responses. Emerging policy issues relating to generative AI will be profiled as case studies throughout.

Join us to build a prosperous, equitable future for all Canadians.

What you’ll learn

Knowledge

Develop a practical understanding of key policy choices and trade-offs for driving inclusive prosperity in the digital economy.

Skills

Develop skills for critically analyzing digital technology policy issues through a responsible tech lens and engaging productively in the policymaking process.

Networks

Grow valuable networks across policy, civil society, and business communities, and engage with digital economy thought leaders.

Learners earn a microcredential for completion of each course in the SRTP program.

Course Outline

Part 1: Getting started

Week 1
Welcome to Public Policy for Canada’s Digital Economy

Week 2
Creating the economy of the future

Part 2: Key drivers of inclusive prosperity

Week 3
Boosting productivity and innovation in the digital economy

Week 4
Building tomorrow’s workforce

Week 5
Increasing competition

Week 6
Governing the intangible economy (IP, data, privacy, AI)

Part 3: Looking to the future

Week 7
The geopolitics of the digital economy

Week 8
Wrap-up and reflections

Guest Speakers

Denise HearnResident Senior Fellow, Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment

Marcus KolgaDirector and Founder, DisinfoWatch

Mai MavinkurveFounding Partner, Prosperity GS

Kari NormanEconomist, Desjardins Group

Hon. Andrew Parsons Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

Zia QureshiSenior Fellow, Global Economy and Development program, Brookings Institution

David SkokCEO & Editor-in-Chief, The Logic

Garrett Andrew SchneiderResearch & Policy Director, AFL-CIO Technology Institute

Viet VuManager of Economic Research, The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University

PAST SPEAKERS IN THE SRTP PROGRAM INCLUDE

Dr. Ebrahim BagheriProfessor and Responsible AI Program Director, Toronto Metropolitan University

Vass BednarExecutive Director, Master of Public Policy in Digital Society Program, McMaster University

Ben BergenPresident, Council of Canadian Innovators

Senator Colin DeaconSenate of Canada

Honourable Michelle Rempel GarnerMember of Parliament for Calgary Nose Hill and former Cabinet Minister

Simon KennedyDeputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)

Humera MalikCEO, Canvass AI

Bianca WyliePartner at Digital Public & co-founder of Tech Reset Canada

Who should apply

This course is for early- and mid-career professionals and leaders across Canada’s policymaker and innovator communities — from governments and regulators, large companies, tech startups, and not-for-profit and academic organizations.

Learner profiles include:

Policy, government/public affairs, legal, business development, and product development professionals
Technologists in infosec, privacy, integrity and other tech-adjacent roles
Professionals who intersect with governments and regulators
Anyone interested in shaping a better tech future

Cost

Regular Price

CA $1,750 + HST

(Early Bird rate: $875 + HST)

Non-Profit Rate*

CA $750 + HST

Apply by April 5, 2024 to take advantage of the Early Bird rate.

(*Available to learners with incorporated non-profit and charitable organizations)

For applicants subject to the Regular Rate, a limited number of needs-based bursaries are available for individuals who require financial assistance and cannot access professional development funds from their employer. Email us to learn more.

APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED.

Meet the instructor

Katie Gibson
Senior Fellow

The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University

Get in touch

Questions or want to learn more about the program?

Tiffany Kwok
Policy Analyst

The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University

Contact

Testimonials

“The creme de la creme of tech policy learning in Canada with a niche focus on cyber.”

“Great engaging instructors, interesting discussions, 360-degree view on innovative tech policy issues and comprehensive framework for development of secure and responsible policies in the tech world.”

“The hands-on nature of the course is perfect for practitioners and has been very helpful in furthering and structuring my own thinking about tech policy.”

~ Learners from Spring 2023 edition of the SRTP Foundations course

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