Federal government opens consultations on using – and avoiding – AI in public services

Author Sharlene Gandhi

The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat has launched a public consultation on the use of artificial intelligence in the federal public service. It aims to “gather insights from Canadians across the country on how artificial intelligence should, or shouldn’t, be used in the federal government,” according to a news release from September. 

The online survey is open between Sept. 16 and Oct. 31, 2024. It provides information about what AI is, how people may have already interacted with the technology, and why the government plans to use AI in its services. The final strategy will be published in 2025. 

Submissions from individuals and on behalf of organizations have been welcomed. According to the Secretariat, the government has already consulted AI experts, academics, civil society, industry and Indigenous communities in the development of the strategy. 

This consultation sits separately from Canada’s AI legislation, called the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA). AIDA is part of Bill C-27, the Digital Charter Implementation Act. 

Government entities are not subject to the same AI legislation as the private sector. 

Several human rights groups and civil society organizations have criticized Canada’s approach to AI legislation. One main concern is that the body regulating artificial intelligence—Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada—is also tasked with growing Canada’s AI industry. 

Many have also expressed concern that there has not been much diverse and meaningful public consultation regarding legislation that holds private companies to account. 

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  • Sharlene Gandhi is the Future of Good editorial fellow on digital transformation.

    Sharlene has been reporting on responsible business, environmental sustainability and technology in the UK and Canada since 2018. She has worked with various organizations during this time, including the Stanford Social Innovation Review, the Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business at Lancaster University, AIGA Eye on Design, Social Enterprise UK and Nature is a Human Right. Sharlene moved to Toronto in early 2023 to join the Future of Good team, where she has been reporting at the intersections of technology, data and social purpose work. Her reporting has spanned several subject areas, including AI policy, cybersecurity, ethical data collection, and technology partnerships between the private, public and third sectors.

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