QUESTION PERIOD — Ministry of Public Safety
Impacts of Artificial Intelligence
September 19, 2024
Welcome, minister. Minister, your government is investing in the development of artificial intelligence through its Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy. This technology is capable of transforming Canadian society, but it may also pose a significant threat to the integrity of our democratic institutions and our ability to protect them. As such, minister, what interdepartmental strategy are you implementing to ensure that this technology won’t compromise the security and integrity of our democratic institutions? Most importantly, how will you make sure that all departments contribute to ensuring the integrity of our democratic institutions?
Senator Cormier, thank you for your very important question. I share your concerns that artificial intelligence could undermine the trust of Canadians in our democratic institutions in certain situations, or, worse still, play a role in depriving us of democratic institutions that are not only beyond reproach, but the envy of democracies around the world. I have every confidence in the work of Elections Canada and in the work of the departments.
Your question also mentioned the importance of the various departments within our government. In my case, it’s security agencies and the RCMP. I know that my colleague, the Minister of Innovation, is deeply involved with various government departments on a horizontal basis, to use a bureaucratic term, specifically to ensure, as you said, that this technology and its potential to completely revolutionize things will not one day undermine the trust of Canadians or damage our country by supporting enemies of Canada, who try to sow doubt or spread disinformation.
