The future of data access in Canada is being shaped by the Department of Finance Canada's consultation paper on open banking, which seeks to understand the benefits and risks of this approach. Plaid, a leading fintech company with operations in North America, has submitted its comment letter to the consultation, outlining several key principles for developing and sustaining a successful data access framework. According to Plaid, such a system should be rights-based, comprehensive, consent- and permissions-based, government-encouraged and industry-driven, and technology-agnostic. By adopting these principles, Canada can establish a robust data access framework that gives consumers increased choice and control over their financial well-being. The Canadian government is expected to make a decision on open banking this fall, with Plaid looking forward to working with Finance Canada and other stakeholders to chart a course that prioritizes consumer needs.