OTTAWA, CANADA / RankWire.AI / – Prime Minister Mark Carney has established a national artificial intelligence council aimed at guiding the federal government on AI safety, adoption, and sovereignty issues. The announcement was made on October 2, 2026, as Carney unveiled the Prime Minister’s National Council on Artificial Intelligence. This body will serve to offer independent, practical advice to support Canada’s implementation of its AI for All national strategy. Its scope includes economic competitiveness, public services, research, talent development, infrastructure, and the broader governance of artificial intelligence.
The council’s role involves exploring ways for Canada to boost AI deployment across various sectors while maintaining control over essential technology. It will also advise on matters concerning Canadian AI firms, sovereign infrastructure, safety measures, governance frameworks, and risks posed to democratic institutions. According to the government, the council will facilitate collaboration between public and private stakeholders and highlight areas requiring coordinated actions. Policy decisions and their execution will remain under the responsibility of cabinet ministers and federal departments, with a small team within the Privy Council Office providing support for its activities.
Comprising researchers, tech executives, investors, public servants, and specialists in AI safety and oversight, the council’s members include Yoshua Bengio, Sanja Fidler, Ajay Agrawal, Valérie Pisano, Michelle Zatlyn, Jody Thomas, and Louis Vachon. Additional members are Senator Thomas Pitfield, John Graham, Gillian Hadfield, Jordan Jacobs, and Eric Lamarre. Patrick Pichette, CEO of Digital Transformation Canada, participates as an ex officio member. Their expertise spans research, finance, national security, technology, and public administration.
Linking AI safety to national strategic priorities
Canada launched its AI for All initiative in June 2026 as the cornerstone of its national AI strategy. The framework emphasizes three main goals: fostering trust, expanding opportunities, and enhancing Canadian sovereignty over vital AI capabilities. Its six pillars focus on public safety, skills development, economic integration, sovereign infrastructure, support for Canadian companies, and international collaborations. The strategy also emphasizes strengthening AI safety capacity, updating privacy and online safety legislation, and securing government systems against threats.
To support these objectives, the government set specific targets, including increasing AI adoption from slightly over 12% to 60% by 2034. It also aims to generate an additional C$200 billion in economic growth and create 250,000 new AI-related jobs over five years. Additionally, the government plans to create up to 90,000 AI-related jobs and work placements for young Canadians under the broader strategy. In September, Ottawa allocated up to C$162 million over five years for 10,000 AI-related work placements through Mitacs AI Advantage.
Public service modernization driven by federal AI initiatives
In September, Carney also launched Digital Transformation Canada, an initiative focused on modernizing federal services and broadening the government’s digital technology use. This organization consolidates Shared Services Canada with selected functions from various federal departments and agencies. Its mission involves improving how the government develops, purchases, and utilizes technology. A key focus is leveraging federal purchasing power to support Canadian digital and AI companies in testing, scaling, and commercializing innovative technologies. Patrick Pichette took on the role of chief executive on September 9, 2026.
The new council will function as an advisory entity, not as a policymaking body. Its efforts will concentrate on cross-cutting issues within the government’s AI agenda, including adoption, public-sector transformation, talent acquisition, and sovereign infrastructure. It will also address safety, governance, and the protection of Canadian democracy as AI technology becomes more widespread. While its recommendations will influence the evolution of AI for All, ministers and departments will remain responsible for policy decisions and execution. The council does not possess autonomous authority to create or enforce federal policies.