Trust is often described as invisible infrastructure \u2014 we rely on it constantly, and often only notice it when it breaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Global cooperation has historically rested on shared assumptions: That rules would be honoured, institutions respected, and long\u2011standing partnerships grounded in mutual trust would endure. Today, those foundations are being challenged in ways few could have foreseen even a few years ago. The consequences are still coming into focus, but it\u2019s clear that protecting our prosperity will depend on whether we can put some serious actions into practice to protect Canada as a sovereign country\u202f\u2014\u202fwhich could include safeguarding our digital sovereignty<\/a>. My conversation with John was stimulating, timely and, despite everything, optimistic. Here’s what stood out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Welcome to Everyday Trust<\/em>, a series of conversations I host with leading Canadian thinkers<\/a> to explore the ways mutual trust will underpin the future of the digital economy. For this latest episode, I sat down with someone else who\u2019s been dwelling on the same questions. John Ruffolo is the founder of OMERS Ventures, managing partner at Maverix Private Equity, and one of Canada’s clearest voices on innovation and economic competitiveness. We spoke about what digital sovereignty really means, and what Canada needs to do about it now. At Interac, given our position in the heart of the innovation ecosystem, I\u2019m especially keen to discuss how technological creators and innovators can navigate a world of declining international trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Trust under a shifting world order<\/h3>\n\n\n\n