Sign in

Josh Tabish

@joshtabish.bsky.social
164 followers 106 following 337 posts

Senior Director, Canada at @progresschamber.org

PostsRepliesMedia
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 22h
Ahead of the Senate's study of Bill C-22, @signal.org and @mozilla.org are speaking out about the threat the bill poses to the security and privacy of their users www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Messaging service Signal says minister’s changes to lawful access bill will not persuade it to stay in Canada
Signal and provider of web-browser Firefox say bill still poses threat to their users’ privacy
000
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
"Secure messaging service Signal is still ready to shut down its Canadian operations if Bill C-22, known as the Lawful Access Act, becomes law and is enforced." betakit.com/signal-vp-re...
betakit.com
Signal VP reminds lawmakers the secure messaging app won’t comply with Bill C-22 | BetaKit
The federal government's controversial bill would give law enforcement more power to monitor and collect personal data.
000
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Another Canadian tech company is prepared to leave if Bill C-22 goes ahead as is www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Toronto-based VPN provider plans to quit Canada over lawful-access bill
Psiphon, which helps people living in oppressive regimes evade online censorship, says Bill C-22 would compel it to help build a surveillance system in this country
100
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
So second reading will be worth watching: What concerns do Senators zero in on? Where do they see room for changes? And where does the bill go for committee study? @mgeist.bsky.social has a useful breakdown of the unresolved #encryption question here: www.michaelgeist.ca/2026/09/is-c...
michaelgeist.ca
Is Compromise on Encryption Possible? Why Bill C-22's "Minor Opening" Leaves the Central Question Unanswered - Michael Geist
Bill C-22, the government’s lawful access legislation, is awaiting Senate consideration this fall with the encryption provisions likely to be the centre of attention given diametrically opposing views...
000
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The government says C-22 strikes "the right balance” on encryption. Critics aren’t convinced the compromise works technically -- particularly where the bill could require changes to the underlying capabilities of a service. www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Carney government’s lawful-access bill doesn’t go far enough on encryption, police say
The Carney government and Canadian police forces are at odds over how far new legislation should go in allowing investigators to access encrypted messaging data.
100
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Last week, @progresschamber.org joined 22 other tech organizations raising similar concerns -- including metadata retention, encryption and sweeping secret orders. As the letter puts it: “A backdoor for law enforcement is a backdoor for everyone.” progresschamber.org/resources/co...
progresschamber.org
Tech industry to Canada: amend Bill C-22
23 tech companies and organizations tell Canada's ministers that a backdoor for law enforcement is a backdoor for everyone. Amend Bill C-22 before it becomes law.
100
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Earlier this month, European civil society groups urged the European Commission to raise C-22 in Canada-EU trade talks, warning the bill could weaken privacy and end-to-end encryption beyond Canada. www.accessnow.org/press-releas...
accessnow.org
Access Now - Open letter from European civil society organisations on encryption and privacy threats in Canada’s Bill C-22
We, the undersigned organisations and experts, write to urge you to act before Canada’s Senate completes its consideration of Bill C-22, the Lawful Access Act, and to press Canada to remove the bill’s...
100
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Bill C-22 is back on the Senate Order Paper for second reading: sencanada.ca/en/content/s... This doesn’t guarantee debate today -- but the Senate phase is getting underway, with big questions still hanging over privacy, cybersecurity and #encryption.
100
Reposted by Josh Tabish
Michael Geist @mgeist.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The government's encryption compromise in Bill C-22 doesn't work. Police say it does little to change what they can already obtain. Tech companies, industry groups, and security experts say it still leaves users at risk. The Senate needs to pick a side. www.michaelgeist.ca/2026/09/is-c...
michaelgeist.ca
Is Compromise on Encryption Possible? Why Bill C-22's "Minor Opening" Leaves the Central Question Unanswered - Michael Geist
Bill C-22, the government’s lawful access legislation, is awaiting Senate consideration this fall with the encryption provisions likely to be the centre of attention given diametrically opposing…
068
Reposted by Josh Tabish
Chamber of Progress @progresschamber.org · 01/10/2026
Maryland’s new personalized pricing law takes effect today, and it draws a simple line: Stop companies from using personal data to charge someone more. Protect coupons, loyalty rewards, win-back offers and other discounts that help people save.
111
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Senators will have to confront whether a legal exception aimed at one target can avoid weakening the security that protects everyone.
000
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Latest from @mgeist.bsky.social does a great job framing the #encryption question facing the Senate on C-22: June amendments restrict forced decryption, but a carve-out could still weaken encryption for everyone. www.michaelgeist.ca/2026/09/is-c...
michaelgeist.ca
Is Compromise on Encryption Possible? Why Bill C-22's "Minor Opening" Leaves the Central Question Unanswered - Michael Geist
Bill C-22, the government’s lawful access legislation, is awaiting Senate consideration this fall with the encryption provisions likely to be the centre of attention given diametrically opposing views...
101
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Senators will have to confront whether a legal exception aimed at one target can avoid weakening the security that protects everyone.
000
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Full story here: betakit.com/tailscale-wi...
betakit.com
Tailscale, Windscribe co-sign open letter asking feds to further amend Bill C-22 | BetaKit
Canadian and European tech companies still have concerns over Canada's federal “lawful access” bill.
010
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
“Canada should be able to support legitimate investigations without making secure systems easier to attack, and without making Canadian companies less competitive globally.” – Avery Pennarun, CEO of @tailscale.com in @betakit.com
192
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
"A backdoor for law enforcement is a backdoor for everyone," the coalition stated. "Once built, it would permanently expand the attack surface for criminal actors and foreign adversaries." www.iphoneincanada.ca/2026/09/24/v...
iphoneincanada.ca
VPN Companies Warn Bill C-22 Could Push Tech Firms Out of Canada | iPhone in Canada
Canadian VPN and cybersecurity companies are warning that Ottawa’s lawful-access legislation could still push tech businesses out of the country, even after the federal government amended the bill to ...
000
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Thanks to @techradar.com for covering yesterday's fixc22.ca open letter, where over 20 tech leaders call on the Public Safety Minister to fix the bill before it becomes law. www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-priv...
techradar.com
Canada's Bill C-22: VPN and tech firms urge the government to 'fix' the bill before it becomes law
Windscribe, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and others are calling on lawmakers to protect consumer privacy, encryption, and cybersecurity
000
Reposted by Josh Tabish
Chamber of Progress @progresschamber.org · 24/09/2026
20+ Canadian and European tech groups are urging Canada to amend Bill C-22. The bill could weaken data security and encryption while making Canada a harder place for tech companies to grow. “A backdoor for law enforcement is a backdoor for everyone.” progresschamber.org/resources/co...
progresschamber.org
Tech industry to Canada: amend Bill C-22
23 tech companies and organizations tell Canada's ministers that a backdoor for law enforcement is a backdoor for everyone. Amend Bill C-22 before it becomes law.
022
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
More than 20 tech leaders from Canada and Europe are calling for changes to Bill C-22 ahead of the Senate’s study this fall. @progresschamber.org is proud to stand with them. Read the coverage below, and the full open letter at fixc22.ca.
000
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Today over 20 Canadian and European tech leaders are calling for changes to Bill C-22 ahead of the Senate’s study this fall. They warn the bill could put privacy, #encryption and our digital infrastructure at risk. Head to fixc22.ca to read their open letter.
fixc22.ca
Tech industry to Canada: amend Bill C-22
23 tech companies and organizations tell Canada's ministers that a backdoor for law enforcement is a backdoor for everyone. Amend Bill C-22 before it becomes law.
000
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Great recap of my recent interview on youth safety online, including whether social media bans for kids actually work and what better approaches could look like. www.aei.org/domestic-pol...
aei.org
001
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
What if I told you there was a way to reduce traffic accidents, cut carbon emissions, and add $1.34B to Canada’s GDP? By 2050, automated ridehailing could support all of this. Check out @progresschamber.org's latest report: progresschamber.org/research/can...
progresschamber.org
Impacts of Automated Ridehailing Services in Canada: - Chamber of Progress
Robotaxis are carrying paying passengers in the US and the UK, but not in Canada. A new report commissioned by Chamber of Progress and prepared by Steer and Fourth Economy finds automated ridehailing ...
000
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
When will robotaxis come to Canada? And what could the rollout actually look like? @progresschamber.org's new report models the next 10–25 years of automated ride-hailing in Canada, including the potential impacts on jobs, GDP, road safety and emissions. progresschamber.org/research/can...
progresschamber.org
Impacts of Automated Ridehailing Services in Canada: - Chamber of Progress
Robotaxis are carrying paying passengers in the US and the UK, but not in Canada. A new report commissioned by Chamber of Progress and prepared by Steer and Fourth Economy finds automated ridehailing ...
000
Reposted by Josh Tabish
Chamber of Progress @progresschamber.org · 17/09/2026
Canada is a national leader in AI, infrastructure, and the automotive industry. Self-driving cars are already on the streets in the U.K. and U.S. but haven’t yet made it to Canada. It's a multibillion-dollar opportunity, if Canada takes the right steps.
011
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I’m all for more trade with Europe -- that could be great for both sides. But closer economic ties shouldn’t automatically mean Canada importing the EU’s approach to tech regulation.
000
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The EU wants a new strategic partnership with Canada by potentially making us an “Associate Member.” But as Ottawa rewrites our digital rules, what would closer policy alignment with Europe actually mean for Canadian digital policy and sovereignty? www.wsj.com/world/europe...
100
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
PM Carney wants closer economic ties with Europe, but Bill C-22 risks doing the opposite by creating new EU-Canada friction over privacy, security and #encryption. www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
theglobeandmail.com
Ottawa lawful-access bill could be obstacle to EU-Canada digital trade agreement, European privacy groups say
On eve of the PM’s EU visit, European digital experts warn Canada’s Bill-22 poses a privacy threat to residents of the bloc
000
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
A bill Canadians already hate could set up the next phase of our trade fight with the United States. We don't have to repeat the U.K.'s mistakes: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
US lawmakers urge secretive British court to open up about Apple case
Democrat Ron Wyden and Republican Warren Davidson tell investigatory powers tribunal that secrecy over encrypted data case is ‘needlessly’ straining US-UK relations
000
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
An already-unpopular Canadian bill could set up the next phase of our trade fight with the U.S. Britain is battling Washington over #encryption and secret surveillance orders. 👇 Bill C-22 risks putting Canada on the same path... www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
US lawmakers urge secretive British court to open up about Apple case
Democrat Ron Wyden and Republican Warren Davidson tell investigatory powers tribunal that secrecy over encrypted data case is ‘needlessly’ straining US-UK relations
000
Reposted by Josh Tabish
Chamber of Progress @progresschamber.org · 11/09/2026
Canada is considering a social media ban for kids under 16, even as evidence from Australia raises questions about whether these bans actually work. Josh Tabish joined AEI’s Explain to Shane to discuss what policymakers should focus on instead to keep kids safer online. www.aei.org/multimedia/h...
aei.org
011
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
I joined Shane Tews on the 'Explain to Shane' podcast to talk about Canada’s online safety and lawful access bills. www.aei.org/multimedia/h...
aei.org
001
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Grateful that @markramzy.bsky.social included me in this piece on Bill C-22 and the debate over #encryption. The government’s amendments addressed some important concerns, but the bill still leaves major privacy and encryption risks unresolved. www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Carney government’s lawful-access bill doesn’t go far enough on encryption, police say
The Carney government and Canadian police forces are at odds over how far new legislation should go in allowing investigators to access encrypted messaging data.
010
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
7/ It’s still Lake Ontario in Canada. Nothing Google Maps does changes that -- and I mean literally: Google Maps didn’t change the name in Canada. So I think this one falls pretty squarely under: Don’t hate the player, hate the game.
000
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
6/ The real problem isn’t the map app. The problem is that we’re in an ugly trade fight with our largest trading partner, and one side is resorting to some pretty petty tactics. It’s easy to dunk on tech here. But that’s not really what this is about.
100
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
5/ There’s another contradiction here. If your concern is that tech companies already have too much power, do you really want Google or Apple deciding which official geographical names governments are allowed to use? That seems like a pretty strange power to hand them.
100
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
4/ I’ve seen this described as another attack on Canada’s “digital sovereignty.” But isn’t this actually digital sovereignty working? Canada’s map says “Lake Ontario.” The U.S. map says “Lake America.” Other countries aren’t being forced to adopt the U.S. name.
100
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
3/ This isn't new! And crucially: the name hasn’t changed in Canada. Canadian users still see “Lake Ontario.” People outside the U.S. generally see “Lake Ontario” first too. No mapping company is forcing “Lake America” on Canadians.
100
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
2/ Google laid out how it handles politically disputed place names back in 2008. The basic approach has been around for almost two decades: where governments use different official names, maps can display different names depending on where the user is. publicpolicy.googleblog.com/2008/04/how-...
publicpolicy.googleblog.com
How Google determines the names for bodies of water in Google Earth
Posted by Andrew McLaughlin, Director of Global Public Policy Hundreds of millions of users around the world use Google Earth . Many of the...
100
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
🧵 1/ I can’t believe I’m even writing about this, but I think a lot of people are missing the forest for the trees on the whole “Lake America” Google Maps thing. I don’t like the name change either. But should we really expect a map app to take a political stand over it?
100
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
All the talk about “trading away our digital sovereignty” on streaming and news misses that the Carney government has been moving in this direction for months. progresschamber.org/insights/car...
progresschamber.org
Carney Doesn't Need a Trade Deal to Fix Digital Policy
The Canada-U.S. trade deal collapsed, but Ottawa can still restore news sharing and keep streaming rules from raising prices for Canadians.
000
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
So apparently discoverability was on the table (tho not a deal breaker). Washington previously said the real fight was over streaming spending obligations -- rules the Carney government already wants to scrap. I wrote about this here: progresschamber.org/insights/car... www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
cbc.ca
LeBlanc welcomes U.S. decision 'withdrawing positions' on language, culture in trade negotiations | CBC News
Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is hinting that a mutually beneficial trade agreement with our southern neighbours may still be possible after the U.S. rolled back its position on culture a...
010
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Calling potential changes to news and streaming rules a capitulation to Washington misses the obvious: the Carney government has been publicly moving toward a different digital policy agenda for months. progresschamber.org/insights/car...
progresschamber.org
Carney Doesn't Need a Trade Deal to Fix Digital Policy
The Canada-U.S. trade deal collapsed, but Ottawa can still restore news sharing and keep streaming rules from raising prices for Canadians.
000
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Professor @mgeist.bsky.social wrote a great breakdown of the age assurance enforcement and oversight problems in the current draft of the bill here: www.michaelgeist.ca/2026/06/the-...
michaelgeist.ca
The Exemption Illusion: Why the Government’s Plan to Fast Track Bill C-34’s Kids' Social Media Ban Means No Standards, No Privacy Review, and No Enforcement - Michael Geist
One of the most heavily promoted features of Bill C-34, the government’s Safe Social Media Act, is that its social media ban for those under 16 comes with a potential exemption for platforms that sati...
000
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
One of the quirks of the government's social media bill is that it requires age checks before privacy standards are set by the new Commission, meaning platforms may have to implement systems first and find out later whether they comply. www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
theglobeandmail.com
How would social media age verification work under Ottawa’s proposed rules?
U.K., France, Australia among other countries that have introduced age restrictions to social media access
200
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Bill C-22 is facing opposition at home and abroad. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) is now raising concerns about its implications for North American cybersecurity in a letter to the Trump administration: www.morningstar.com/news/dow-jon...
morningstar.com
Senator Urges Trump Administration to Review Canada's Lawful-Access Bill
000
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
This follows Minister @evansolomon.bsky.social's promise to tackle unfair algorithmic price increases via Bill C-36.
000
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
The ETHI committee just met and Liberal MP Fares Al Soud moved a motion for four meetings on AI and algorithmic pricing. The committee didn’t vote on it, but presumably it will be reintroduced at the next meeting.
100
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Changing copyright could cut against Canada’s ambitions to grow our AI sector. In Banff earlier this year, the Ministers said the Copyright Act is already clear, suggesting there will be no legislative action and it could be left to the courts toronto.citynews.ca/2026/06/25/n...
toronto.citynews.ca
News, cultural groups want clarity on copyright after Ottawa releases AI strategy
OTTAWA — News and cultural industry groups are calling on the government to take a stand on how AI systems use copyrighted content after Ottawa’s long-awaited national AI strategy failed to address th...
000
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Great to see Canadian tech champion Shopify speaking out on Bill C-22
000
Josh Tabish @joshtabish.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
"This is not how you build a (tech) ecosystem,” [Shopify's Michel Liboiron] said. “Weakening cybersecurity or allowing for these backdoor accesses sends a signal to the rest of the world” and creates a reputational hit for Canadian companies. financialpost.com/technology/s...
financialpost.com
Shopify's policy chief says Bill C-22 could handicap Canadian tech companies
Shopify Inc.'s public policy chief Michael Liboiron said if Bill C-22, is made into law, it will endanger Canadian businesses. Read here now
000