THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 6, 2026
(38)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 4:13 p.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Rosemary Moodie, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnold, Boudreau, Burey, Cuzner, Hay, Moodie, Muggli, Osler, Petitclerc and Senior (10).
Participating in the meeting: Diana Ambrozas and Laura Blackmore, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 2, 2025, the committee continued its study of matters related to the impact of artificial intelligence in Canada.
WITNESSES:
Canadian Centre for Child Protection:
Lloyd Richardson, Director of Technology (by videoconference).
John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights:
Maria Angelica Quesada, Director of Research and Adult Education;
Tiffany Efird, Project Lead, Youth and Community Engagement (by videoconference).
Evidence for Democracy:
Félix Proulx-Giraldeau, Interim Executive Director.
AI Safety Asia:
Alejandro Reyes, Chief Strategy Officer;
Supheakmungkol Sarin, Co-Founder and Chief Research Officer (by videoconference).
Canadian Paediatric Society:
Dr. Michelle Ponti, Paediatrician and Chair of the Digital Health Task Force (by videoconference).
As individuals:
Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law, University of Ottawa;
Divya Sharma, U-Reporter Ambassador, UNICEF Canada.
Lloyd Richardson, Maria Angelica Quesada and Divya Sharma each made a statement and, together with Tiffany Efird, answered questions.
At 5:15 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:19 p.m., the committee resumed.
Félix Proulx-Giraldeau, Alejandro Reyes, Michelle Ponti and Michael Geist each made a statement and answered questions.
At 6:15 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Ferda Simpson
Clerk of the Committee