QUESTION PERIOD — Industry
Artificial Intelligence Regulations
June 26, 2025
Senator Gold, I hope you’re enjoying your final Question Period, every question, every response, and congratulations on your distinguished service to the Senate and to Canada.
Now to the question: The Minister of Artificial Intelligence is supposed to safeguard the public interest in one of the most powerful technologies of our time. Instead, according to a recent column in The Globe and Mail, the minister appears more interested in acting as a cheerleader for AI corporations, touting data centres and monetization while downplaying the urgent need for regulation. Canadians are rightly concerned about the risks AI poses to their privacy, national security and energy grid.
When will this government stop acting as a champion for big tech and start enforcing strong, transparent rules to protect Canadians from AI’s real harms?
Thank you for your question and for your kind words, senator.
This government is proud to have Minister Solomon as the minister responsible for this file. He brings enormous talent and ability and experience to the role.
There is a need to find the appropriate measures and balance towards regulating this enormously important, pervasive and growing tool while preserving the privacy interests and rights of Canadians. Minister Solomon is seized with this issue, as is this government.
This government is sometimes attacked for being in the pocket of big tech and then maligned for taking it on, as we have experienced here. We’ll do our job. The government will do its job.
Will the government commit to publishing a clear timeline for implementing privacy, security and environmental regulations related to AI development so Canadians can be assured that innovation is not outpacing public safeguards?
The government is taking seriously the challenges — and they are enormous challenges and not only domestic — of dealing with the pervasive and growing presence of AI in all aspects of our lives. It will continue to do this work diligently and in the best interests of Canadians.
