Mark Carney’s AI Mandate Signals New Era for Canadian Government and Business

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s AI Mandate for Government Efficiency

Newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney has set a clear direction for his cabinet: increase the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to boost productivity. His mandate emphasizes deploying AI at scale alongside efficient spending and leveraging limited tax dollars to stimulate private investment.

This move reflects a growing consensus in Canada’s tech sector that AI should become a core part of government operations. Carney’s mandate follows his appointment of Evan Solomon as Canada’s first Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation. Solomon also oversees the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, highlighting the government's strategic focus on AI-driven growth.

Key Priorities in Carney’s Mandate

• Accelerate AI adoption across government functions
• Continue the $2-billion Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy initiated under Trudeau
• Invest an additional $2.5 billion in broadband and data centres
• Enhance Canadian sovereignty and attract talent
• Improve housing affordability through public-private partnerships
• Reduce government spending where possible

While the letter does not provide specific details on AI implementation, it signals a strong push for AI to become a foundational tool in government work and economic development.

Industry Response and Workforce Implications

Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke responded positively, calling Carney’s mandate “well said” and noting that many similar AI-focused directives are emerging across industries. Shopify itself treats AI use as a baseline expectation, requiring teams to demonstrate why AI tools are inadequate before receiving additional resources.

Other companies are making more radical moves. OpenText, a major cloud information provider, recently cut 1,600 jobs as part of an “AI-first” strategy, while simultaneously hiring new talent with AI skills. Existing employees are expected to learn AI prompting and programming techniques to remain relevant.

The shift raises important questions about workforce transformation. Some industry leaders, including Microsoft, have downplayed fears that AI will lead to widespread job losses. However, some clients of major tech firms like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are already using AI to reduce staffing. For example, Bell Canada implemented Google AI to automate customer service, reportedly saving $20 million in labor costs.

What This Means for Government Professionals

Carney’s mandate suggests that government departments will need to integrate AI tools more deeply into their workflows. This includes evaluating AI solutions for efficiency gains, reallocating resources, and upskilling personnel to work effectively with AI technologies.

For those in government roles, developing AI literacy and skills in areas like prompt engineering and AI tool management will become increasingly valuable. Training resources are available for those looking to build these competencies—for instance, comprehensive AI courses can be found at Complete AI Training.

Ultimately, Carney’s approach signals a shift towards a more digitally capable government that leverages AI to improve service delivery and economic competitiveness.