Digital Access Day 2026: Access, Autonomy and the Open Internet

As governments talk more about digital sovereignty, data control and critical infrastructure, communities across Canada are still struggling with basic issues of connectivity, affordability and trust. This year’s Digital Access Day, The Canadian Internet Society’s flagship event, asks a simple question: how do we build stronger Canadian capacity for AI, cloud, and networks without breaking the open, global internet that people rely on every day?

This full-day event will feature panels, stories and conversations on AI adoption, cybersecurity, sovereign infrastructure, affordability and skills. Speakers will share concrete examples from banks, cloud providers, northern communities, maritime projects, and Canadian technology firms. Insights from the day will feed into our Digital Sovereignty project and a public report.

DI's Founder and Academic Director, Wendy Cukier, will be delivering an opening keynote on digital sovereignty, how access, affordability and skills gaps show up for small businesses, and equity seeking communities, and the risk that sovereignty debates take ignoring inclusion and access. She will also be moderating a panel on AI Adoption, Skills and Access.