Webnames.ca Marks 25 Years of Building Canada’s Digital Identity
Webnames.ca is celebrating a milestone few tech companies reach—25 years of helping Canadians claim their place online. As Canada’s original .CA domain registrar, the Vancouver-based company has shaped how businesses, non-profits, and individuals establish and protect their digital footprint.
From a University Server to a National Standard
The story begins in 1987, when co-founder John Demco, a computer science visionary at the University of British Columbia, created the .CA domain. With a small volunteer team, he managed the country’s first domain registry long before most Canadians even had internet access. His early foresight gave Canada something invaluable—a trusted digital marker that says, “this is Canadian.”
Today, Webnames.ca continues that legacy under the leadership of President and CEO Cybele Negris. Together with its enterprise division, Webnames Corporate, the company manages domain portfolios for leading Canadian organizations, government agencies, and global brands. Their services span domain registration, DNS management, brand protection, and digital security—all built on trust, expertise, and long-term relationships.
25 Years of Innovation and Reliability
From modest beginnings to a national presence, Webnames.ca has stayed true to its Canadian roots. Headquartered in Vancouver, the company remains independently owned and operated, something increasingly rare in the domain industry. Over the years, it has expanded into web hosting, enterprise-grade DNS, and cybersecurity solutions—all while maintaining its reputation for personal service.
“Every day we see how critical a secure, reliable online foundation is,” said Negris. “Whether it’s a small startup registering its first domain or a global enterprise managing thousands, we provide the tools and guidance to help them thrive.”
Demco agrees. “When I established .CA, the goal was to give Canadians a trusted corner of the internet. Today, that vision has become a national symbol of authenticity.”
The Ongoing Strength of .CA
The .CA extension remains one of the most trusted country-code domains in the world. According to data from the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), nearly nine in ten Canadians view .CA as the best choice for businesses that want to be recognized as Canadian. That trust has translated into consistent growth, with millions of .CA domains now registered.
Byron Holland, President and CEO of CIRA, credits Webnames.ca as a long-standing partner in this success. “They’ve helped shape the history of .CA,” said Holland. “Their commitment to connecting and protecting Canada’s online community has been remarkable.”
Adapting to an Increasingly Complex Digital Landscape
As the internet continues to change, Webnames.ca is focusing on cybersecurity, automation, and enterprise-grade infrastructure. The goal remains clear—to keep Canadian businesses safe and competitive online. Its platforms now support advanced authentication, DNSSEC, and threat monitoring, helping clients defend against phishing, spoofing, and brand misuse.
“We’re proud of how far we’ve come,” said Negris. “But what excites us most is what’s ahead. We’re still driven by the same mission we had in 2000—to help Canadians establish, protect, and grow their presence online.”
For 25 years, Webnames.ca has been more than a domain registrar—it has been a trusted ally for Canada’s digital growth. Its influence can be seen in nearly every corner of the web where a .CA appears. And as new technologies reshape how Canadians connect, the company’s original mission—to build a secure and recognizable online identity for Canada—continues to stand the test of time.
To learn more about Webnames.ca’s history and its impact on Canadian businesses, visit www.webnames.ca/twenty-five.