Artificial Intelligence

During question period on artificial intelligence, the NDP and Greens asked the government why its AI strategy emphasizes promotion over protections, citing harms to jobs, privacy, water use, and children. The parliamentary secretary replied that the government’s “AI for all” strategy is built on trust, safety, and helping Canadians use and build the technology, and pointed to bills including C-16 on sexualized deepfakes and C-25 on protecting democratic institutions as part of a multipronged approach.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

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4 statements

Don Davies, Vancouver Kingsway

NDP

Linked statement

“Canada needs stronger rules for artificial intelligence. It harms jobs, privacy, and the environment, and it targets children. Why is the government rushing its plan without protecting Canadians?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the government’s AI strategy is leaving Canadians dangerously exposed. While this technology can produce benefits, it urgently needs effective regulation and strong guardrails. We know AI is driving mass surveillance, facilitating fraud and threatening jobs. It uses huge amounts of water and energy, and children are being targeted. These are real threats, yet the Liberals sprinted through a shallow consultation and are mouthing the lines of tech billionaires. Why is the government rushing a reckless AI strategy without ensuring real protections for Canadians—

Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport)

Liberal
“Our plan is to make artificial intelligence help all Canadians. It focuses on keeping people safe and protecting their privacy, helping Canadians use and build the technology, and making sure Canada controls its own future with it.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, AI for all is this government’s plan to make AI work for all Canadians. It is about what AI can do in Canadians’ lives for better health care, stronger businesses, safer communities and better public services. Our strategy has three foundations: first, trust, so that privacy, children and democracy are protected; second, opportunity, so that every Canadian can use, build with and benefit from AI; third, sovereign control, so that Canada makes its own choices on AI. This is a plan for Canadian AI leadership, and we are taking care of Canadians.

Elizabeth May, Saanich—Gulf Islands

Green
“The government promotes artificial intelligence instead of protecting people from it. Stronger protections could save children's lives. I want to know when the government will take the dangers of artificial intelligence seriously.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, children’s lives could have been saved if we had better protection. I am wondering, despite the benefits of AI, why does this strategy land with more promotion than protection? When will the Prime Minister and the government consider the advice of Pope Leo XIV that AI needs to be “disarmed”?

Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport)

Liberal
“Our plan for artificial intelligence focuses on trust and safety. We have bills to stop fake sexual images, protect our elections, make social media safer, and protect people's private data.”
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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I want to emphasize that trust is at the core of every aspect of our AI strategy. This government is taking a multipronged approach. Bill C‑16 would combat those sexualized deepfakes that are concerning for so many Canadians, as they should be. Bill C‑25 would protect our democratic institutions. Our strategy commits to bringing forward legislation on safe social media and updating consumer privacy law to protect Canadians’ data. We are launching a Canada trusted AI certification program, and we are protecting Canadians as our first priority in this strategy.

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