Lawrence Zhang

🚨 Government of Canada’s bill to require service providers to give law enforcement access to encrypted communications would irreversibly undermine #encryption for Canadian users. Statement from @lawrencezed on Bill C-22: vist.ly/4uqrh

Why it matters: 🔷 Manufacturing location determines where capital, suppliers, skills, and innovation compound 🔷 Once industrial ecosystems hollow out, they rarely rebound Treating EVs and canola as equivalent trade-offs is a mistake, says @lawrencezed itif.org/publications/2…

.@CopelanPeter introduces today's guest speakers: - Ryan Khurana, Senior Fellow at @JoinFAI, - and @Lawrencezed, Head of Policy at @ITIFdc. x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Canada doesn’t have an innovation system. Just 134 disconnected programs. Now’s the moment to fix that—with our new NATO R&D commitment as the catalyst. We need a national operator to move tech from lab to deployment. Not more pilots. A real system. itif.org/publications/2…

Canada was right to drop the digital services tax. It would’ve hit Canadian firms hardest, triggered U.S. retaliation, and deepened trade tensions. Now it’s time to focus on real competitiveness: adoption, IP enforcement, and scale. #cdntech #cdnpoli #DST

Canada faces a pivotal choice: ✅ Build its world-class research and talent to stay at the forefront of the global AI economy ❌ Squander its early lead by overregulating For @MLInstitute, @lawrencezed & @castrotech argue Canada’s priority should be accelerating AI adoption.🧵

In a world of rising economic competition and trade uncertainty, Canada’s underinvestment in productive capital is eroding its ability to compete and protect its national interests. Full report by @lawrencezed & @Meg_ostertag 👇 itif.org/publications/2…

In a new blog, @lawrencezed makes the case for a grand bargain: faster permitting and access to federal lands in exchange for modest levies that fund Canadian R&D and commercialization. Read more ⬇️ itif.org/publications/2…

Avoiding hypothetical risks isn’t always safe. Overregulation will cost Canada its economic edge and tech leadership. Standing still means falling behind. Time to shift from theory to practical AI deployment. Article by @lawrencezed & @castrotech ⬇️ macdonaldlaurier.ca/canada-should-…

We're ready to work with the new gov to ensure Canada not only withstands external pressures but emerges as a leading industrial power. Full statement from @lawrencezed ⬇️ itif.org/publications/2…

With PM Carney and Trump finally talking, negotiation is back on the table. Re-engaging now lets us shape the talks, test U.S. intentions, and strengthen our long-term economic position. itif.org/publications/2…

For decades, Canadian scientists moved south for opportunity. Now, U.S. science is under political attack, and talent is looking north. Canada must seize this moment to turn brain drain into brain gain. Here's how we can do it: itif.org/publications/2…

Trump’s tariffs should serve as a wake-up call for Canadians. It's time to seize the moment and enact bold reforms that foster a more innovative, productive, and globally competitive economy. More from @lawrencezed 👇 itif.org/publications/2…

To boost innovation, Canada must think like a “big, small country” rather than a “small, big country.” hilltimes.com/story/2025/02/…

Foreign multinational firms are significant training grounds for Canadian entrepreneurial talent, providing the skills, resources, & exposure needed to launch successful tech start-ups in Canada. 🚀 💡 @lawrencezed explains ⤵️ itif.org/publications/2…

With the 5% revenue contribution requirement, the average Canadian family will pay an extra $40 per year into media funds. 📈 If creating Canadian content is a societal goal, it should be funded by the government, not consumers, explains @lawrencezed. 👇 itif.org/publications/2…

Canada orders TikTok to close its offices after national security review. The app will still be available in Canada. What an odd decision. A few thoughts... cbc.ca/news/politics/…

💲 Rising prices in Canada can be attributed to plain old inflation, not "price gouging." 📊 A comparison of net profit margins shows that big Canadian firms have NOT seen major changes in profitability over recent years. @lawrencezed explains: itif.org/publications/2…

If Canadian policymakers mandate #ageassurance systems, regulation should: 1. Be limited to high-risk situations & proportionate to the level of risk 2. Avoid inflexible requirements 3. Be technologically & commercially agnostic @lawrencezed explains ⤵️ itif.org/publications/2…

2/ Canada’s digital service tax is a prime example of a core ally practicing digital mercantilism. @RepDanKildee asked how to push back. @RobAtkinsonITIF noted we have leverage—and if that doesn’t work, we can enact reciprocal tax: youtube.com/live/W--b6iTHT…