Where Canada's political parties stand on AI in 2025
Find out where Canada's major political parties stand on artificial intelligence.
As we approach the federal election, AI policy has become unexpectedly personal, touching everything from your job security to how government services are delivered. With the failure to pass comprehensive AI legislation earlier this year, Canada finds itself at a crossroads, with each political party charting different paths forward.
Why AI is a political issue in Canada
Canada was once ahead of the curve, launching the world's first national AI strategy in 2017 and fostering research hubs led by influential researchers like Yoshua Bengio and Geoffrey Hinton. But the stalling of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA) after Parliament's prorogation in January left us without the comprehensive federal regulations that places like the European Union have in place.
This regulatory gap transformed AI from a technical issue into a political one where values, economic visions, and governance philosophies collide. That being said, political parties aren’t talking a lot about AI, which is somewhat worrying.
What each party proposes
Liberal Party: Ethics and innovation
Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals aim to cement Canada's reputation as an AI powerhouse while establishing guardrails for responsible use. Their $2.4 billion investment in the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2024-2027) focuses on research funding, talent attraction, and computing infrastructure.
The Liberals emphasize transparency in government AI applications through policies like the Directive on Automated Decision Making. If you're applying for government benefits or services, Liberal policies would likely mean clearer disclosure about how algorithms influence decisions affecting your life.
Carney has tied AI to Canadian sovereignty, arguing for domestic control over critical technologies to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
What this means for you: Expect more AI-powered tools in healthcare and education with ethical oversight mechanisms. However, critics note that Liberal policies lack specific measures addressing the environmental impact of energy-hungry AI systems.
Conservative Party: Business-first approach
My assumption is that Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives will focus on economic competitiveness and private-sector innovation while being skeptical toward sweeping regulations. But, the Conservatives haven’t said much about AI and it’s difficult to glean what they’d actually do if elected.
What this means for you: Conservative policies could accelerate adoption of innovative AI products, but may offer fewer safeguards against algorithmic bias affecting hiring decisions or loan approvals.
NDP: Protecting workers and promoting fairness
The New Democrats emphasize protecting Canadians from AI's potential harms while ensuring its benefits are equitably distributed.
Their platform champions mandatory algorithmic impact assessments to prevent discrimination in hiring, lending, and policing. Inspired by Manitoba's $2M AI skills initiative (2025), they advocate retraining programs for workers displaced by automation.
The NDP also prioritizes stronger data rights, giving you greater control over how your personal information feeds AI systems. They’ve raised concerns about privacy risks posed by generative AI technologies and energy consumption of data centres.
What this means for you: NDP policies might slow adoption in some sectors but would offer stronger protections if your job becomes automated or your personal data is misused.
Green Party: Sustainable and accountable AI
True to their environmental roots, the Greens connect AI development to ecological and ethical priorities.
They've been outspoken about reducing the massive energy consumption of data centres and AI models, though concrete policy proposals remain limited. Their stance on algorithmic justice aligns with their broader commitment to equity and transparency in all systems.
What this means for you: Under Green leadership, you might see greener AI innovation but potentially stricter limits on energy-intensive technologies like the generative AI that creates your text and images.
How AI policy affects Canadians: Jobs, privacy, and tech access
The party that’s voted in will shape how AI touches your daily life.
In the workplace: A substantial portion of Canadian jobs could be impacted by automation in the coming years. How political parties plan to manage this transition varies dramatically:
The Liberals aim for balanced adoption with integrated oversight
Conservatives emphasize job creation through innovation and investment
The NDP prioritizes retraining programs and worker protections
Greens connect workforce transitions to broader environmental sustainability
For your personal security: Liberals prioritize national security applications, while Greens focus on protecting individuals from AI-powered surveillance. These differences could determine who can access your digital footprint and why.
Questions to ask your MP about AI
Before casting your ballot, consider asking candidates:
How will you help workers like me if automation threatens my industry?
What safeguards will you implement to ensure government AI systems treat all Canadians fairly?
Do you support regulating the massive energy consumption of AI systems?
How will you ensure marginalized communities’ perspectives shape Canada's AI policies?
Why your vote matters in Canada's AI future
Though we aren’t talking about this much, this election will determining how we harness a transformative technology to reflect Canadian values. Whether you're concerned about job security, digital privacy, or ensuring the benefits of AI reach all communities equitably, these policy differences will profoundly shape your future.
AI is about who gets hired, how secure your personal information remains, whether your children's education prepares them for a changing world, and ultimately, what kind of society we build together.
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AI in the news
This AI forecast predicts storms ahead (New York Times) Adetailed A.I. forecast from the "A.I. Futures Project" led by Daniel Kokotajlo predicts A.I. will surpass human intelligence by 2027, potentially leading to profound disruption. The project's report, "AI 2027," presents this future through a fictional narrative where systems progress from superhuman coding to superintelligence, though critics argue the predictions lack scientific grounding and may be unnecessarily alarmist.
Nvidia to mass produce AI supercomputers in Texas as part of $500 billion U.S. push (CNBC) Nvidia announced a push to produce NVIDIA AI supercomputers entirely in the US for the first time. Its Blackwell AI chips have started production in Phoenix at Taiwan Semiconductor plants. The news comes after President Trump imposed high reciprocal tariffs on a long list of countries.
AI used for skin cancer checks at London hospital (BBC) A hospital in London is pioneering the use of AI to help check for skin cancer. Chelsea and Westminster Hospital said its AI technology has been approved to give patients the all-clear without having to see a doctor. Once photos are uploaded to the system, the technology analyses and interprets the images, with 99% accuracy in diagnosing benign cases, the hospital said.