March 12, 2026 Kyndryl has launched its Cloud Uplift platform in Microsoft’s Canadian data centre regions, allowing organizations to migrate and modernize legacy systems on Microsoft Azure while keeping data stored within Canada. The move enables companies to shift mission-critical workloads to the cloud without rewriting existing applications.
The service, formerly known as Skytap, is designed to help enterprises move legacy infrastructure to Azure with minimal disruption. “Together with Kyndryl, we’re enabling Canadian organizations to move and modernize mission-critical systems in Microsoft Canadian data center regions with confidence,” said Matt Milton, president of Microsoft Canada.
Kyndryl says the platform allows organizations to replicate and run IBM Power workloads, including AIX, IBM i and Linux environments, directly in Azure. By migrating workloads “as-is,” companies can maintain system performance and operations while gradually modernizing their technology stack.
The launch reflects broader challenges many organizations face in modernizing enterprise IT. According to the Kyndryl Readiness Report, 67 per cent of Canadian leaders say innovation is delayed by foundational technology issues, and 62 per cent say their current cloud environment developed unintentionally rather than through a planned strategy.
Data sovereignty concerns are also shaping cloud decisions. The report found 81 per cent of Canadian leaders are increasingly worried about geopolitical risks tied to global cloud environments, with 60 per cent adjusting their cloud strategies in response.
Kyndryl said the Canadian expansion gives enterprises a low-risk path to modernize while keeping sensitive data within national borders. “Kyndryl Cloud Uplift provides a low-risk, accelerated path to Microsoft Azure, giving customers the foundation to modernize, scale operations and access to AI innovation,” said Brian Medeiros, president of Kyndryl Canada.
Canada is the fifth geographic market where the service is available following Kyndryl’s acquisition of Skytap in 2024. The expansion also brings the platform to Microsoft’s Canadian data centre regions, increasing the total number of Azure regions supporting Cloud Uplift to 14.
