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Microsoft Canada’s investment in Quebec is set to boost the company’s local cloud infrastructure by a staggering 750 percent. Additionally, this investment will facilitate the expansion of partnerships aimed at offering training, certifications, and various resources to the region.
Microsoft Bolsters Cybersecurity and AI: Quebec’s Tech Surge
Microsoft announced on Wednesday that it is significantly boosting its investment in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and various other digital technologies to enhance its capabilities in the province of Quebec, Canada.
Microsoft plans to utilize the newly acquired investment of $500 million to enhance its digital infrastructure presence in Quebec. This includes expanding their hyperscale cloud computing and AI infrastructure, thereby strengthening their technological capabilities in the region.
Microsoft announced that it anticipates a significant surge in its local cloud infrastructure in Canada over the next two years, with an expected increase of 750 percent in investment.
Microsoft, headquartered in Redmond, Washington, also announced that its Quebec base currently provides assistance to more than 1,000 employees, 3,200 partners, and a significant number of cloud infrastructure accounts. Additionally, a recent report commissioned by the company in collaboration with consultant Ernst & Young revealed that Microsoft’s operations in Quebec have contributed to the creation of over 57,000 jobs.
The annual revenue generated by those partners amounts to approximately $5 billion Canadian, which is equivalent to around $365 billion.
Microsoft Supercharges Quebec: $500M Boost Builds on Prior $219M Investment!
Ernst & Young reports that Microsoft has recently made an additional $500 million investment in Quebec, in addition to the $300 million Canadian dollars (equivalent to approximately $219 million) that the company had already invested in the province during the past three fiscal years.
Microsoft did not provide any additional information in response to a CRN request.
Microsoft’s investment aims to significantly increase its computing capacity in Quebec by approximately 240 percent within the next three years, while also expediting the progress of AI innovation. This endeavor entails collaborating with industry frontrunners on various initiatives to offer learning materials, certifications, and other resources that enhance the necessary skills required to drive forward the local digital economy.
The establishment of the Operational Risk Skills Development Centre, a collaborative initiative by Microsoft Canada and KPMG Canada, encompasses the provision of cybersecurity and GenAI skills training in the French language.
NPower Canada & Microsoft’s Quebec Tech Accelerator Gains Funding for Digital Training Expansion
The Canadian Tech Talent Accelerator in Quebec, a collaborative initiative between NPower Canada and Microsoft Canada, is set to receive additional funding to support its expansion. This investment will not only contribute to the growth of the project but also create fresh avenues for digital training and career advancement.
Michael Slater, senior director for Microsoft and cybersecurity sales at Sherweb, a Sherbrooke, Quebec-based cloud services provider and one of the vendor’s largest channel partners globally, praised Microsoft Canada for their remarkable decision.
Slater informed CRN that Microsoft Canada has consistently been one of its most prosperous subsidiaries. Furthermore, Azure, the cloud platform, is experiencing rapid growth in Canada. Given Quebec’s proactive approach to data sovereignty laws, this investment holds significant importance for both our ecosystem and that of all managed service providers (MSPs).
Sherweb, being a Canadian company, actively engages in numerous government projects both independently and in collaboration with various partners, as stated by Slater.
He expressed that cybersecurity holds great importance, emphasizing the desire to witness this investment contribute to the growth of both cybersecurity and AI proficiency in Canada.
