Tech CEOs want Ottawa's AI strategy to include detailed growth roadmap
Canada's federal government is finalizing a national AI strategy after reviewing over 11,000 submissions and consulting 28 experts. Tech executives say the policy must go beyond principles and spell out concrete steps to help the sector compete globally.
The strategy's six pillars include protecting Canadians, empowering citizens, supporting AI adoption, building sovereign AI infrastructure, scaling Canadian companies, and forming global partnerships. But industry leaders want specifics: measurable milestones, funding commitments, and a timeline for execution.
The infrastructure challenge
Data centres require massive amounts of electricity. Tech companies are competing worldwide to secure power sources, and Canadian executives say the federal strategy must address energy supply alongside AI development.
Michael Arbus, CEO of Moomoo Canada, said the government should explain how it plans to expand electricity production and transmission through nuclear, hydroelectric, and natural gas facilities. Without this coordination, data centre growth will stall.
"What would be nice is to have a Canadian solution that's using Canadian power and Canadian compute," Arbus said. Building sovereign AI infrastructure - one of the strategy's pillars - depends on solving the power equation first.
Data sovereignty and talent retention
Canada currently relies on U.S. technology giants like Amazon and Microsoft for cloud services and data storage. Louis Têtu, executive chairman of Montreal-based AI platform Coveo, said the government should act as a catalyst to keep Canadian-developed AI technology and talent within the country.
Universities in Canada produce world-class AI talent and research, but those innovations often get commercialized elsewhere. Têtu wants the strategy to address this gap directly, creating enough computing capacity and opportunity to retain skilled workers.
Regulation and growth must align
Mirko Bibic, CEO of BCE Bell Canada, said the strategy's focus on protecting Canadians through privacy and online safety laws is essential - but only if paired with a detailed growth plan.
Regulations set guardrails for industry operations, Bibic said. The government must strike a balance between oversight and innovation. He wants measurable targets and a road map, not a strategy document that sits on a shelf unused.
"For me, the key test will be: Is there appropriate ambition in the strategy? Is there a road map for what needs to be done?" Bibic said.
Public concern grows
The strategy arrives as public unease about AI increases. Job cuts at major tech companies, security concerns about newer AI models, and questions about the technology's role in incidents like the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., have fueled skepticism.
In the U.S., President Donald Trump initially dismantled existing AI regulations to prioritize innovation, but recently signaled a shift toward vetting new AI models before release. Canada's approach will likely face similar pressure to balance economic growth with public safety concerns.
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