Laurier and Balsillie School celebrate Jim Balsillie’s $5-million gift, launch Digital Governance Initiative to strengthen Canada’s digital sovereignty

June 26, 2025

Leaders and entrepreneurs from across government, the legal profession, industry, academia and business gathered at the Balsillie School of International Affairs in Waterloo on Thursday, June 26 to celebrate a transformational $5-million gift from philanthropist Jim Balsillie that will establish the groundbreaking Digital Governance Initiative.

A bold and comprehensive response to Canada’s need to shape policy and increase productivity amid growing threats to sovereignty and security, the Digital Governance Initiative will strengthen Canada’s capacity in law, digital sovereignty, trade and technology governance. Through professional programs, a legal advisory centre and a proposed new graduate degree, the initiative aims to position Canada as a global leader in digital governance, as well as position Ontario to lead the country in building capacity for a transforming global economy.

“Canada’s economic prosperity, national security and human rights depend on whether we shape the rules of the digital economy – or become passive bystanders,” said Balsillie. “The changing nature of international trade agreements, particularly around intangible assets like artificial intelligence, data and intellectual property, is complex and technical, and building capacity here is essential.”

The Digital Governance Initiative will offer a suite of executive-level programs designed to support private- and public-sector leaders in gaining expertise in evolving disciplines including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data governance and digital trade. The programs will be delivered through flexible, high-impact learning experiences tailored to today’s digital realities.

“Laurier and the Balsillie School are deeply grateful to Jim Balsillie for his vision, leadership and generosity,” said Laurier President and Vice-Chancellor Deborah MacLatchy. “The rise of artificial intelligence, shifting trade partnerships, and threats to both digital and national sovereignty require us to work across sectors to ensure Canada’s social and economic prosperity for generations to come.” 

The Digital Governance Initiative includes a unique-in-Canada legal advisory centre for international trade and technology governance. Designed to problem-solve government and industry challenges in real time, the centre will be staffed by legal and policy experts while also providing experiential learning opportunities to graduate students.

“Now more than ever, we need leaders in government, the corporate sector and the legal professions to confidently navigate the challenges and opportunities in our data-driven, digitally complex world,” said Laurier Provost and Vice-President: Academic Heidi Northwood. “We also need to ensure that our entrepreneurs, corporations, politicians and government bureaucrats have the capacity required to make good, strategic decisions, understanding the legal and governance frameworks in Canada and internationally.”

Additionally, Laurier and the Balsillie School will offer new courses in the Master of International Public Policy (MIPP) program and a proposed graduate degree focused on law, digital sovereignty and global technology governance, subject to approval.

“Innovation without governance leaves us vulnerable; governance without innovation stagnates progress,” said Ann Fitz-Gerald, director of the Balsillie School of International Affairs. “Through this initiative we will equip the next trade negotiators, public servants and legal professionals with the skills to lead in a data-driven, digitally mediated world.”

This initiative expands on Laurier and the Balsillie School’s expertise in international policy and governance and complements programs like the MIPP. It will build the institutions’ research and expertise in areas where Canada needs leadership: the legal, regulatory and ethical dimensions of domestic and international digital governance.

Through collaboration with private and public-sector partners, Laurier faculty and students will play a central role in advancing critical research and dialogue on Canada’s place in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Natalie Raffoul, an intellectual property lawyer and managing partner at Brion Raffoul LLP, said the Digital Governance Initiative represents “a bold and timely response to a profound challenge.”

“Data is no longer just a resource. It is the most strategic input of the modern economy,” said Raffoul. “AI, cyber security and cloud infrastructure have redefined how we work, live and compete, and the rules that govern these technologies are still being written. We must have a seat at the table when those rules are set.”

The $5-million gift announced to form the Digital Governance Initiative follows an earlier $5-million gift from Balsillie to create the Technology Governance program at the Balsillie School of International Affairs. Laurier leaders in attendance at the June 26 event praised Balsillie for his transformative investment.

“Jim Balsllie’s philanthropic gift will expand our scholarship, governance innovation, graduate education and multi-sector capacity building,” said Laurier Vice-President: Advancement and External Relations Jason Coolman. “We’re proud to partner with you in this vital mission and look forward to the work ahead.”

The not-for-credit executive-level program and legal centre will be launched in 2025 by the Balsillie School in partnership with Laurier.