Good morning. Here’s what happened in Canadian tech since Friday.

1. Canada’s Real-Time Rail is live

Payments Canada announced the launch of the Real-Time Rail this morning. It’s a national system that lets participating banks and payment providers clear and settle payments instantly, 24/7, through the apps and channels people already use. Payments Canada cites a C.D. Howe Institute projection of up to $14.5 billion in cost savings from the system’s launch features, from lower processing costs, less cash and cheque use, and money that no longer sits in limbo between accounts.

Why it matters: The system has been in the works since 2015. What you’ll actually notice depends on when your bank turns it on, so watch for notices from your bank or credit union. Read the full story

2. Nvidia’s board opens an investigation into Jensen Huang

Nvidia’s board said Sunday it’s starting an independent investigation after “recent reporting” that the CEO has been “the target of a foreign intelligence effort.” A committee of independent directors will run it, with outside counsel. The board says it has “no reason to believe” national security or company secrets were compromised, and that it still has confidence in Huang. In an email to staff, Huang admitted he was unfaithful to his wife and said he would cooperate fully. The New York Times broke the story. Gizmodo’s summary of the Times reporting says U.S. officials accused the woman involved, a former executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed, of spying for China.

Why it matters: Nvidia makes the chips most of the AI industry runs on, including the Canadian data centres the budget wants to expand. A question mark over its CEO affects a lot more than one company.

3. The budget puts about $1.5 billion into news and culture

On Sunday, Heritage Minister Marc Miller detailed $600 million in media and cultural funding for 2026-27, iPhone in Canada reports. It includes $213.4 million for the Canada Media Fund and $80 million for the Independent Local News Fund, which Corus’s Global stations can already draw from. Separately, the budget opens the journalism labour tax credit to private TV and radio newsrooms: a 35 per cent credit on up to $85,000 per employee, at an estimated $501 million over five years. Michael Geist tallies about $1.5 billion in new or renewed support in total.

Why it matters: Ottawa’s approach was to make tech platforms pay for Canadian content and news. This budget shifts much of that cost to taxpayers. Geist notes broadcasters like Bell, Rogers, Corus and Quebecor could benefit from the tax credit.

4. $176 million for a new online regulator

The budget sets aside $176.3 million over five years for the Digital Safety and Data Protection Commission of Canada, BetaKit reports. It would oversee social media and chatbot platforms under the proposed Safe Social Media Act and take on private-sector privacy oversight. AI Minister Evan Solomon has said it could issue binding orders and fine companies up to $10 million or 3 per cent of global revenue, whichever is higher.

Why it matters: The budget gives few details, and the government has said the commission could take up to 18 months to set up. The laws it would enforce still have to pass Parliament.

5. Quebecor posts its biggest wireless gain since 2010

Quebecor, which owns Videotron and Freedom Mobile, added 136,700 subscriber connections in the third quarter, its biggest quarterly gain since it launched mobile service in 2010. Freedom is still pushing: it’s texting some customers a $30/month, 125GB plan for adding a line, MobileSyrup reports. The offer is for bring-your-own-phone customers and ends Nov. 19.

Why it matters: The fourth carrier is winning more customers, and that keeps pressure on prices from Rogers, Bell and Telus heading into the holidays.

6. Lost money to an Apple gift card scam? You can claim

An Ontario court approved a $1.25-million settlement with Apple over gift card fraud, MobileSyrup reports. It covers people in Canada who bought iTunes, App Store or Apple Music gift cards between Jan. 1, 2016 and Sept. 16, 2026, gave the codes to a scammer, weren’t fully refunded, and reported the fraud. Claims are due by Feb. 20, 2027 at giftcardsettlement.ca. Payments will depend on how many claims are approved.

Why it matters: “Pay with gift cards” is a common scam. If it happened to you or a relative and you reported it, this is a small chance to get some of the money back.

7. Your data can be sold when a company goes bankrupt

When Toys “R” Us Canada went through insolvency, it transferred customer names, contact details, account information and purchase history to Ad Populum, which acquired its trademarks, La Presse canadienne reports via Radio-Canada. Ad Populum didn’t respond to interview requests. Privacy lawyer Constantine Karbaliotis told the agency that Canada’s process is less transparent than in the U.S., and that withdrawing consent afterward is consumers’ main protection.

Why it matters: Customer data is often among a failing retailer’s most valuable assets. If you get an email from a new owner, you can ask it to delete your information.

One more thing

Saturday was N7 Day, Mass Effect’s unofficial holiday. After EA closed Edmonton-based BioWare last month, fans used the day for a #SaveMassEffect campaign: most of the original trilogy’s voice cast made a video, and billboard trucks drove around Edmonton and outside EA’s California headquarters, Kotaku reports. NDP leader Avi Lewis and MP Don Davies backed the push too.

That’s the briefing. See you tomorrow.