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Ottawa, ON - April 21, 2026 | Today, QueerTech, in partnership with the Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce, hosted a special event and panel discussion focused on queer entrepreneurship and AI readiness, two critical drivers in Canada’s innovation economy. As the country navigates rapid technological change, ensuring that 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs have the tools and resources to participate in and shape the AI era is an economic imperative.
“AI is shaping the future of our economy, and inclusion needs to be part of how we build it from day one. With QT Inclusive AI, we’re focused on making sure 2SLGBTQI+ communities aren’t left out of that future, but helping lead.” - Naoufel Testaouni, Co-Founder & CEO, QueerTech
“Queer entrepreneurs are already driving innovation across Canada, but too many still face barriers to growth. As AI transforms the economy, we have a real opportunity to change that and build a more inclusive, competitive future.” - Darrell Schuurman, Co-Founder and CEO of the Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce
The event brought together entrepreneurs, ecosystem partners, tech organizations, and government leaders for a vital discussion on how Canada can strengthen its innovation economy by removing barriers and investing in responsible technology development and deployment.
The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, delivered opening remarks on Canada’s leadership in emerging technologies and the importance of ensuring innovation delivers meaningful economic benefits for all Canadians.
"The principle we are driving is AI for all, and that means inclusive AI. No matter who you are, where you are, or where you fall on the economic scale. AI needs to be built for you all. We need to build technology that is trusted, human, pro-human, and pro-worker. Inclusive AI is not a nice-to-have; it's a necessity. We need to build with purpose and build with the right tools and the right people." - The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation
Canada is at a pivotal moment. As the country works to strengthen its innovation economy, ensuring the success of diverse entrepreneurs and tech workers, particularly those in the 2SGBTQI+ community, will play an important role in Canada’s emergence as a global leader in tech innovation.
The conversation then turned into a panel discussion on AI. As AI reshapes Canada’s economy, issues of bias in data, design, and governance are increasingly tied to economic risk and competitiveness. The discussion was moderated by Maria Collins, Journalist at The Wire Report, and included: David Beauchemin, Director of Cloud & AI at Microsoft; Lisa Gibson, President & Founder of Ignite Communications; and Naoufel Testaouni, Co-Founder and CEO of QueerTech.
The panel explored how more inclusive approaches to AI can strengthen innovation, build trust, and position Canada for long-term success.
Event attendees received an advance copy of Inclusive AI Development - Benchmarking Canada’s Tech Industry: Responsible Practices & 2SLGBTQI+ Outcomes Research Report, QueerTech’s latest report, which will be publicly launched later this month. The study outlines a path toward more inclusive AI development and strong economic outcomes and is one of many tools in QueerTech’s recently launched QT Inclusive AI, a national initiative designed to help ensure that artificial intelligence is developed responsibly and to shape a future where technology strengthens equity rather than undermines it. Over the next year, QT Inclusive AI will provide practical tools, learning opportunities, and collaborative spaces to help organizations build more responsible AI systems.
By connecting entrepreneurship, policy, technology, and AI advancement, the event and discussions underscore what becomes possible when inclusion is placed at the forefront, empowering Canadian founders and tech workers to build, scale, and lead in the AI era.
Organizations interested in partnering with QueerTech for future QT AI initiatives are invited to contact AJ Stewart, QueerTech’s Partnerships Manager, at aj.stewart@queertech.org.
For media inquiries, please contact media@queertech.org.
QueerTech is a national nonprofit advancing 2SLGBTQI+ talent, entrepreneurship, and inclusive technology across Canada’s tech ecosystem. Through community-led programming, original research, strategic partnerships, and actionable inclusion tools, QueerTech builds pathways into tech and helps shape a more responsible and equitable technology industry. The organization is also a national leader in responsible technology advocacy and progressive 2SLGBTQI+ equity and inclusion policy facilitation.