Artificial Intelligence technologies are being embedded into every aspect of how we live our lives in Canada — from educating our children, to communicating with family, friends, and healthcare providers, to dealing with our governments.
Since 2017, Canada has invested tens of millions of dollars to “translate research in artificial intelligence into commercial applications” and grow the capacity of businesses to adopt new technologies.
In 2025, amid the steadily increasing availability, sale, and adoption of unregulated AI-enabled technologies, the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation announced a “a 30-day national sprint to shape a renewed AI strategy,” and brought together an AI Strategy Task Force comprised of “leaders of the AI ecosystem.”
The national sprint was the public’s opportunity to grasp the nuances and complexity of the issues, and then respond to a survey that emphasized industry and economic priorities over human rights and the prevention of wide-ranging negative impacts.
The government invited a handful of civil society organization to attend briefings during the consultation period, at which the genesis and direction of the consultation were described, thus giving non-industry voices even less than 30 days to provide thoughtful comments and recommendations.
In response, an open letter signed by over 160 civil society organizations and experts detailed some of the many flaws in the government’s restricted consultation, and documented implications of existing AI technologies that undermine personal and organizational privacy, frustrate access to information, and hamper the ability of data protect professionals to ensure compliance with privacy and access laws.
The Privacy and Access Council of Canada was among the organizations that recognize the urgency of ensuring that the perspectives of privacy and access professionals, public interest organizations, academics, impacted communities, and the broader public across Canada have a genuine opportunity for their views, perspectives, and insights to be considered when developing a national strategy for whether, when, and how AI should be governed and implemented in Canada.
The People’s Consultation on AI attempts to do just that.
It’s been designed to welcome a wide range of participation, from neighbourhood discussions about AI’s impacts in our everyday lives, to detailed expert submissions. The consultation website also provides comprehensive resources and guidance for those wishing to learn more about the implications of AI.
Submissions will be published on the website, delivered to the government, and support further work to develop a comprehensive and robust response to the threats caused by AI.
Participate today: https://www.peoplesaiconsultation.ca/
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