Former BlackBerry co-CEO Jim Balsillie has issued one of the strongest warnings yet to Canadian leaders, urging an immediate national shift in how the country approaches economic strategy, technology governance, and data protection. His concerns stem from the new U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS) a sweeping policy approach he calls the most impactful for Canada in more than a decade.
According to Balsillie, the updated NSS, also known as the “Trump doctrine,” positions the United States to aggressively assert control over the Western Hemisphere. It emphasizes commercial dominance, strengthened tariffs, and a revived Monroe Doctrine-style posture. In his view, the strategy effectively weaponizes economic policy, leaving countries like Canada with only two options: build independent digital and economic resilience or fall into deeper reliance on U.S. systems and national security laws.
At the center of Balsillie’s warning is the issue of data sovereignty. He stresses that Canada must treat data—personal information, medical records, financial systems, and business intelligence as a form of national wealth and strategic infrastructure. With U.S. technology giants holding enormous influence and American national security laws enabling cross-border data access, Balsillie argues that Canada must take swift action to secure full control over its digital resources.
His strongest recommendation is the creation of a Canadian sovereign cloud, a secure domestic infrastructure designed to store, process, and protect Canadian data exclusively within national borders. This system, he argues, would shield citizens and industries from foreign interference while giving Canada the digital independence required in a world where data is now a core national security asset.
Balsillie also criticized Canada’s pattern of allocating major government funding to foreign corporations instead of building up homegrown tech capacity. Pointing to multimillion-dollar grants given to companies like Nokia, he argues that capable Canadian firms are often overlooked. His message to the government is simple: “Stop digging” and invest in domestic innovation rather than deepening reliance on foreign technology ecosystems.
As global powers compete fiercely over artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and intellectual property, Balsillie’s warning carries significant weight. Reports indicate that the Canadian government has already begun work on a sovereign cloud framework evidence of the seriousness of the moment.
For Canada, this is a pivotal opportunity. Without decisive action, the country risks losing control of its digital future. But with strategic investment and strong national policies, Canada can strengthen its sovereignty and prepare for a rapidly shifting global tech landscape.
