CCI Statement on the Federal Government’s AI Strategy

Today, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the release of the federal government’s AI Strategy AI for All.  In response to the announcement, Laurent Carbonneau, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at the Council for Canadian Innovators, issued the following statement:

"At a time when countries around the world are competing to build the next generation of technology leaders, Canada needs policies that help innovators build, scale, and compete globally. AI for All contains some promising measures, but it falls short of providing a clear and focused plan to achieve that objective.

"We are encouraged by commitments that reflect priorities CCI has consistently advocated for, including strengthening Canada's sovereign AI infrastructure, expanding access to capital, improving AI adoption among businesses, attracting and developing top talent, and using government procurement strategically to support domestic innovation. Government acting as an anchor customer for Canadian innovators has the potential to help promising firms scale and commercialize new technologies here at home.

"However, successful industrial strategies require clear priorities, disciplined execution, and a singular focus on outcomes. While AI for All contains a number of promising ideas, it spreads its priorities broadly and does not yet provide a sufficiently clear roadmap for helping Canadian AI companies grow into globally competitive firms that create and retain economic value in Canada.

"In today's economy, growth, prosperity, and national security are tied to a country's ability not only to develop new technologies, but to capture the value they create. For this strategy to succeed, the federal government must stay focused on one objective: helping Canadian AI companies scale globally and ensuring Canada captures more of the value created by this technological transition.

“CCI’s participated as an expert contributor to the AI Strategy Task Force and has consistently advocated for policies that help Canadian firms scale, commercialize intellectual property, and compete globally. We will continue working with the federal government to ensure implementation remains focused on the growth and success of Canadian innovators.

“Canada's AI strategy should be measured by whether it helps build globally competitive Canadian companies, strengthens our economic sovereignty, and ensures Canadians benefit from the innovation taking place here.

“Because if Canada is not leading in the development of AI policies that drive growth and prosperity, we will find ourselves living with AI policy decisions made by countries that are.”

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Media Contact:
‍Lisa Brody Hoffman
Director of Communications
‍lhoffman@canadianinnovators.org