AI policies in Canada

Artificial Intelligence and Data Act

Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (Part 3 of Bill C-27, Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022)

The Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA) was proposed as Part 3 of Bill C-27 and would have required organisations designing, developing or deploying high-impact AI systems to assess and mitigate risks of harm and bias, keep records and publish information, with enforcement by an AI and Data Commissioner and penalties for serious offences. The bill passed second reading in the House of Commons in April 2023 and was studied in committee through 2024 but never advanced to report stage. It lapsed when the 44th Parliament ended in early 2025 without the bill being passed.

Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Responsible Development and Management of Advanced Generative AI Systems

This voluntary code asks Canadian developers and managers of advanced generative AI systems to commit to measures under six principles: accountability, safety, fairness and equity, transparency, human oversight and monitoring, and validity and robustness. Obligations are scaled according to whether a system is made available for general public use. It was introduced as a bridge while the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act was before Parliament, and lists around fifty signatory organisations.

Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy

The Pan-Canadian AI Strategy is Canada's national AI strategy, first funded in Budget 2017 with $125 million and delivered largely through CIFAR and three national AI institutes. A second phase from 2021 added funding for commercialisation, standards and computing capacity, with further support in the 2024 Fall Economic Statement. It focuses on attracting and retaining researchers, translating research into industry adoption and promoting responsible AI.