How Cloud In Canada Is Like The CPR in 1871

I’m often asked why I would even try and compete with an 800 pound gorilla like Amazon? When I respond sincerely that it’s because we can beat them and more importantly, because I believe that we have to do it for the future benefit of Canada, most often I receive a smile or even a good hearty laugh; but I’m very serious.

Today there is effectively no Canadian IaaS “Cloud” provider playing at the highest level possible. There are a dozen or so US based companies (all subject to the Patriot Act no matter where in the world they store customer data - The Long Arm Of Us Law - theregister.co.uk) and a few emerging players in Europe & Asia. For all our early history in leading the tech sector and research programs, Canada is falling behind (Canada falling behind on innovation - Thestar.com). There are many reasons for that but for this idea I would encourage you to think big, VERY BIG!

For those who remember their Canadian history, you will recall that in 1871 John A Macdonald and the newly formed Canadian nation understood that in the industrial era, the rail infrastructure was a requirement if Canada was to become a real player; with what is now known as the G20. At the time, BC was much more collaborative with the western US and the idea of joining the dominion of Canada wasn’t a foregone conclusion. The Prairie provinces were essentially fur trading outposts so the effort of building Canada's first transcontinental railroad entirely on Canadian soil was a big bet to say the least. It was a well established fact that it would have been far cheaper, easier, and quicker to build it by leveraging the US based network but that’s not how it went down. The understanding at the time was clear: If Canada didn’t invest in its future and the infrastructure that the world would run on within the country, then we would be left behind and would be helping another nation grow instead.

Today we live in the burgeoning internet era and the infrastructure that our future depends on is called the “Cloud.” The word is confusing to many in Canada, in large part because of the folks who are invested in 10+ year old virtualization technology. These players are doing a good job of bamboozling Canadians into believing that they are “Cloud” too, holding on to the old and less efficient but more profitable model (How To Avoid Being Bamboozled By The Cloud).

Call me crazy (you won’t be the first or last), but I believe that when we launched Canada’s first open public cloud in 2013 we did so in part for the future benefit of all Canadians and that is why we celebrate & collaborate with anyone with a congruent mission.