Timeline

Canada and Finland sign Joint Statement on Sovereign Technology and AI Cooperation

Prime Minister Mark Carney and President of Finland Alexander Stubb sign a joint statement in Ottawa setting out expanded bilateral cooperation on sovereign technology, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, Arctic and maritime issues, and defence. The statement commits both countries to deepen AI collaboration, including exploring frontier AI models with safety and responsibility as foundational design principles, and exploring Finland's participation in the Sovereign Technology Alliance (launched with Germany in February 2026). OECD and GPAI are cited as existing multilateral channels through which the two countries already cooperate on AI.

INDU Meeting 31 — Opportunities, Risks, and Regulation of AI in Canada's Strategic Industries

Meeting 31 of the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (INDU) as part of its study on "Opportunities, Risks, and Regulation of AI in Canada's Strategic Industries." The session ran from 3:32 p.m. to 5:43 p.m. EDT and was televised. Witnesses represented Bell Canada, Bell AI, the Vector Institute, Cohere Inc., TELUS, and Next Generation Manufacturing Canada, discussing AI regulation and its implications for Canadian industry.

INDU Meeting 29 — Opportunities, Risks, and Regulation of AI in Canada's Strategic Industries

Meeting 29 of the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (INDU) as part of its study on "Opportunities, Risks, and Regulation of AI in Canada's Strategic Industries." The session ran from 3:32 p.m. to 5:51 p.m. EDT and was webcast. Witnesses appeared as individuals or on behalf of the University of Guelph, covering AI law, privacy, copyright, and cybersecurity — including prominent AI researcher Yoshua Bengio, law professor Michael Geist, and privacy scholar Colin Bennett.

INDU Meeting 27 — Opportunities, Risks, and Regulation of AI in Canada's Strategic Industries

Meeting 27 of the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (INDU) as part of its study on "Opportunities, Risks, and Regulation of AI in Canada's Strategic Industries." The public session ran from 3:41 p.m. to 5:32 p.m. EDT (5:20 p.m. for public witnesses, followed by an in-camera session on a separate matter) and was webcast. Witnesses included academics and industry representatives covering AI governance, AI safety, computer vision, information law, and applied AI, as well as the CEO of Scale AI and the founder of AI Governance and Safety Canada.

CIGI publishes AI and National Security Scenarios Workshop Summary Report

The Global AI Risks Initiative at CIGI publishes the summary report from the AI National Security Scenarios Workshop co-hosted with the Privy Council Office of Canada.

ISED publishes summary of inputs from 30-day AI Sprint

ISED publishes "Engagements on Canada's next AI Strategy: Summary of inputs," synthesizing over 11,300 public responses, 28 AI Strategy Task Force reports, and nearly 300 policy submissions gathered during the October 2025 30-day national sprint.

DSIT publishes International AI Safety Report 2026 (Bengio et al.)

The UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology publishes the International AI Safety Report 2026, led by Yoshua Bengio and produced by over 100 independent experts from more than 30 countries. The report provides a comprehensive evidence-based assessment of AI safety risks across misuse, structural, and societal domains, along with risk management practices and resilience-building measures. Policy recommendations are explicitly outside its scope.

AIGS publishes "Preparing for the AI Crisis: A Plan for Canada" (2025)

AI Governance and Safety Canada (AIGS) publishes its 2025 white paper, warning that leading AI labs may develop smarter-than-human AI within 18 months and urging urgent federal action. Canada's G7 position and stable society make it well placed to lead global talks while building resilience at home.

Government of Canada launches 30-day AI Sprint and AI Strategy Task Force

Minister Evan Solomon (Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation) announces a 30-day national sprint (October 1–31, 2025) inviting Canadians to share views on Canada's next national AI strategy via the Consulting Canadians portal. Simultaneously, an AI Strategy Task Force of 40 leaders from academia, industry, civil society, and government is constituted to provide actionable insights and recommendations across nine thematic areas. Over 11,300 Canadians participate and the Task Force produces 28 reports.

AI National Security Scenarios Workshop

A full-day, in-person scenarios workshop co-hosted by the Global AI Risks Initiative at CIGI and the Privy Council Office of Canada, exploring existing and emerging national security implications of next-generation AI systems.

Parliament prorogued — Bill C-27 dies on the Order Paper

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces his resignation and Parliament is prorogued by proclamation of the Governor General. All legislation on the Order Paper, including Bill C-27 (and with it AIDA), dies. INDU's clause-by-clause study of the bill ceases.

AIGS publishes "Governing AI: A Plan for Canada (2024 Update)"

AI Governance and Safety Canada (AIGS) publishes the 2024 update to its annual white paper, outlining five high-impact actions for the Canadian government to advance AI governance by end of Q2 2025.

AIGS publishes "Governing AI: A Plan for Canada" (2023)

AI Governance and Safety Canada (AIGS) publishes its inaugural white paper outlining five high-impact actions for the Canadian government to advance AI governance by end of Q2 2024.

Minister Champagne launches Voluntary Code of Conduct for Advanced Generative AI

ISED launches consultation on Canadian Guardrails for Generative AI

Bill C-27 introduced in the House of Commons (first reading)

The Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022 (Bill C-27) is introduced and receives first reading in the House of Commons. The bill bundles three components: the Consumer Privacy Protection Act, the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act, and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA) — the first proposed federal AI-specific legislation in Canada.

Federal Budget 2021 renews Pan-Canadian AI Strategy with $443.8M Phase 2

Budget 2021 committed $443.8 million over ten years to launch Phase 2 of the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy. The renewal significantly expanded the strategy's scope beyond the Phase 1 focus on research and talent, adding pillars for responsible AI development and commercialisation. CIFAR continued as administrator, with the three national institutes (Vector, Mila, Amii) each eligible for up to $20 million over five years from the new envelope. Additional funding supported the Standards Council of Canada ($8.6M) and the Digital Research Alliance ($40M) as part of the broader package.

Federal Budget 2017 launches Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy

Budget 2017 committed $125 million over five years to establish the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy — Canada's first dedicated national AI program. The federal government appointed CIFAR (Canadian Institute for Advanced Research) as administrator. Funding was directed to three newly designated national AI institutes: the Vector Institute (Toronto), Mila – Quebec AI Institute (Montréal), and Amii (Edmonton). The strategy's initial mandate focused on attracting and retaining world-leading researchers, increasing AI-skilled graduates, and building a cohesive national research community.