Shaping the Future: Canada’s Path to AI Governance

The Canadian Federal Public Service is set to implement a national Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy (the “Strategy”) from 2025 to 2027, in order to streamline and automate routine tasks for public servants to increase efficiency, effectiveness and productivity of federal organizations.

Central to the Strategy is the integration of ethical frameworks, transparency, and public trust, ensuring that innovation does not outpace accountability. Specifically, the government’s strategy focuses on four key priorities areas:

Priority 1: Central AI Capacity

This priority addresses the need for a centralized hub to support project implementation and knowledge sharing across government departments by establishing an AI Centre of Expertise among other actions. The Centre will provide guidance on use case identification, data readiness, risk assessment, and governance, while also promoting the exchange of tools, code, and lessons learned.

Priority 2: Policy, Legislation and Governance

This priority focuses on creating a clear and up-to-date legislative and policy framework to ensure responsible AI adoption. A cornerstone of this priority is the “Think AI” approach which integrates AI early in planning to help assess potential benefits, risks, and legal implications.

Priority 3: Talent and Training

This priority addresses the federal AI talent gap by upskilling employees, attracting new talent, and adopting flexible hiring practices. The strategy includes specialized training to build a workforce capable of effectively deploying AI.

Priority 4: Engagement, Transparency and Value to Canadians

This priority seeks to build public trust by addressing concerns around privacy, security, and bias. A public register will outline AI use and safeguards, while ongoing engagement and feedback will support fairness and accountability.

A Critical Look at Canada’s AI Priorities

As AI transforms service delivery and public administration, each of the Strategy’s priorities must carefully balance innovation with accountability, fairness, and public trust. The centralized approach under Priority one, through the AI Centre of Expertise, provides valuable structure but may risk limiting departmental flexibility by imposing uniform frameworks. Priority two’s “Think AI” initiative encourages early integration of AI considerations, but its effectiveness depends on robust legal foundations and clear lines of accountability. While Priority three appropriately emphasizes talent and training, it must also address ethical awareness and change management to be effective. Lastly, although Priority four promotes transparency, the Strategy must go further by clearly conveying accessible and effective mechanisms for recourse when AI systems negatively impact individuals.

Conclusion

As global AI regulation evolves, Canada aims to be both a benchmark and a legal testing ground for responsible innovation. Through its federal AI Strategy and international partnerships such as the Global Partnership on AI and the Council of Europe’s AI Convention, Canada reinforces its commitment to ethical AI governance. Ultimately, success will depend not only on innovation but on the strength of the legal and ethical frameworks that support it.

A version of this article was originally published on the OBA Information Technology and Intellectual Property Section’s articles page.